SCOTUS Allows Alabama To Use Nitrogen Execution

Courthouse News reports:

The Supreme Court refused to pause an experimental execution in Alabama on Wednesday, allowing the state to move forward with the U.S.’s first oxygen deprivation execution. Kenneth Eugene Smith asked the Supreme Court to block Alabama’s second shot at carrying out his death sentence.

In 2022, Alabama spent nearly two hours poking and prodding Smith while he lay in pain on the execution table. The state was forced to abandon the attempt — the second time it had to do so in three months — when officials were unable to establish an IV line before Smith’s death warrant expired.

The court did not explain its decision not to pause Smith’s execution or review his appeal. There were no public dissents.

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#BREAKING The #SupremeCourt has ruled that #Alabama can move forward with plans to execute a death row inmate using nitrogen gas — a method of execution by asphyxiation that has never been used in the United States. https://t.co/4VF7SHgqWX

— Brian Pia (@brianpia) January 24, 2024

More than 100 clergy and religious leaders signed petitions calling on Alabama’s Gov. Kay Ivey to stop Thursday’s execution by nitrogen — a method never before used on humans — and spare the life of Kenneth Eugene Smith.

via @rchapoco / @ALReflectorhttps://t.co/8WLTq9dO5b

— Marisa Demarco (@marisa_demarco) January 24, 2024

A group of Alabama faith leaders gathered at the state capitol Monday to urge Governor Kay Ivey to pause the first-ever nitrogen hypoxia execution scheduled for Thursday. https://t.co/1XN2NsKbCq

— WTVY News 4 (@WTVYNews4) January 23, 2024