ALBAWABA - In a historic event, Alabama executed a prisoner, Kenneth Smith, aged 58, convicted of a 1988 murder, using nitrogen gas for the first time in the United States. The execution took place after receiving approval from the Supreme Court.
Kenneth Smith, known for his involvement in a "hired killer" case, breathed nitrogen gas through a mask until he ceased respiration, marking a significant departure from conventional execution methods.
Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama emphasized that Smith had explicitly expressed a reluctance for lethal injection in prior statements. The unprecedented method was implemented within the bounds of legal protocols, with Smith pronounced dead at approximately 8:25 PM local time.
This execution method has triggered debates on human rights, adding to the persistent controversies surrounding the application of the death penalty in the United States. The country has witnessed ongoing challenges as numerous companies refuse to provide materials for executions, citing concerns related to "racism" and "wrongful convictions."
