On January 25, a historic event took place in Alabama, the United States, gaseous nitrogen was first used to execute the convicted person. This method is an alternative to deadly injections and is considered to be easier.
Kennet Smith, 58, was executed in Etrmount for the murder of a 45-year-old woman in 1988. The murder was committed by order of a priest to receive insurance and settle with debt. The convicted and his defense tried to prevent the execution, but their request was rejected by the court.
The method of execution of gaseous nitrogen implies that the convicted person is allowed to breathe only by this substance, depriving it of access to oxygen. This method, allowed in Alabam, Oklahomi and Mississippi, has not been used before. Alabama for the first time allowed its use in 2018 due to lack of drugs for fatal injections. Proponents of the new method claim to be painless.
It is reported that the US authorities have decided to use this method because of the physiological features of the convicted person. In November 2022, an attempt was made to use a regular deadly injection, but the appropriate needle vein could not be found.
The execution began at 7:53 pm local time, and Kennet Smith was declared dead at 20:25. The UN experts and lawyers of the convicted person were outraged, trying to prevent the use of this method. They consider him risky, experimental and possible cause of severe death or even non -suggestive injuries.
