Why is Alabama carrying out US' 1st nitrogen gas execution despite UN alert?

First Nitrogen Gas Execution in US

Alabama is planning to execute Kenneth Smith using an untested method despite criticism and legal challenges.

Who is Kenneth Smith?

Kenneth Smith was Convicted in 1988 for murder-for-hire, and previously survived a lethal injection attempt in 2022.

What is Nitrogen hypoxia execution method?

Alabamas chosen Nitrogen hypoxia execution method involves depriving the victim of oxygen with nitrogen gas.

State's argument

The state authority claimed that it will be fast and painless, but no executions have ever been carried out using this method.

UN and Ethical Concerns

Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights calls the execution torture and inhuman treatment while experts warn of potential suffering and compare it to animal euthanasia experiments.

Legal Challenges and Future Implications

The courts ruling could set a precedent for future use of nitrogen gas in executions. If successful, Alabamas method could be adopted by other states seeking alternative execution methods.

Takeaways and Action Points

Nitrogen gas execution raises serious ethical and legal concerns while UN and medical experts urge Alabama to reconsider the method. Legal challenges could impact the future of nitrogen gas executions.