Alabama’s first nitrogen gas execution sparks debate on capital punishment, UN calls it ‘cruel, inhumane’ – Gudstory

He suffered seizure-like convulsions for at least two minutes during his 22-minute hanging due to nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday. The force of his movements clearly shook the gurney. Breathing through a nitrogen-filled face mask, depriving him of oxygen.

For the first time, a new method has been used to execute an inmate in the United States, putting the country once again at the forefront of the debate over the death penalty. US authorities have been using lethal injection to execute prisoners, a method introduced in 1982.

The state had previously attempted to execute Smith, but the lethal injection was stopped at the last minute because officials could not connect the IV line.

‘Nitrogen hypoxia not an unused method’

Smith’s supporters expressed concern over the execution process, saying it was contrary to the state’s promise of a quick and painless death. However, Alabama’s attorney general called the execution “textbook” during a press conference on Friday.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall offered help to states considering adopting the method, saying, “As of last night, nitrogen hypoxia as a means of execution is no longer an untested method. It is proven.”

“This was all expected and was among the side effects that we have seen or researched on nitrogen hypoxia. Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm was quoted as saying, “There was nothing out of the ordinary from what we were expecting.” AP.

White House ‘deeply troubled’ by Alabama nitrogen gas execution

The White House said Friday it was “deeply troubled” by the first execution in the United States using nitrogen gas, an untested method that has also been condemned by the United Nations and the European Union.

“The use of nitrogen gas – this is troubling to us. White House spokeswoman Carine Jean-Pierre told media persons, “We are very troubled by this.”

White House spokesman Jean-Pierre said President Joe Biden suspended federal executions after taking office.

“The president has long said and has deep, deep, deep concerns about how the death penalty should be implemented and whether it is consistent with our values,” he said.

UN, EU call Alabama nitrogen gas executions ‘cruel, inhumane’

UN human rights chief Volker Turk, the European Union and US civil liberties groups expressed concern over the manner of Smith’s execution, which has reignited debate about the use of the death penalty. AFP informed of.

“This new and unused method of suffocation with nitrogen gas may constitute torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment,” Turk said.

Raveena Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the United Nations human rights office in Geneva, said Smith was “clearly a victim.”

Shamdasani said, “Instead of using such untested methods of execution, let’s abolish the death penalty. It is an anachronism that does not apply in the 21st century.”

A spokesman for the 27-member European Union, which opposes the death penalty, condemned the execution method, calling it “particularly cruel and unusual punishment.”

Yasmin Cader of the American Civil Liberties Union said that Smith “should never have been executed, let alone in such a horrific manner. It is time for our country to consider abolishing the death penalty rather than introducing new and more Let more disgusting methods be invented.” Take it out,” Cadre said.

Kenneth Eugene Smith case

Smith was one of two men convicted in the 1988 murder-for-hire murder of Elizabeth Sennett. Prosecutors said she and another man were paid $1,000 to kill Sennett on behalf of her pastor husband, who was in debt and wanted to recover money on insurance.

According to the coroner, Sennett, 45, was found dead in her home on March 18, 1988, with eight stab wounds to the chest and one on each side of the neck. According to court documents, her husband Charles Sennett Sr. committed suicide when the investigation focused on him as a suspect. John Forrest Parker, the second man convicted of the murder, was executed in 2010.

Smith’s 1989 conviction was overturned, but he was re-convicted in 1996. The jury recommended life imprisonment 11-1, but a judge rejected this and sentenced him to death.

(with inputs from agencies)

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Published: 27 January 2024, 09:29 am IST