{"id":2090755,"date":"2023-11-05T03:39:04","date_gmt":"2023-11-05T08:39:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alabama-supreme-court-approves-first-nitrogen-gas-execution\/"},"modified":"2023-11-05T03:45:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-05T08:45:32","slug":"alabama-supreme-court-approves-first-nitrogen-gas-execution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alabama-supreme-court-approves-first-nitrogen-gas-execution\/","title":{"rendered":"Alabama Supreme Court OKs First Nitrogen Gas Execution"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Falabama-supreme-court-approves-first-nitrogen-gas-execution%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2090755&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>The Alabama Supreme Court \u200cAllows Execution by Nitrogen Gas<\/h2>\n<p>The Alabama Supreme Court \u2064issued an\u200c order on Nov. \u200c1 that\u200c has sparked a\u200c heated debate over the death penalty. The order grants the state the authority to\u2064 execute a man, Kenneth Smith, using\u2063 the controversial method of asphyxiation with\u2064 nitrogen gas.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>The order didn&#8217;t specify the method of \u2063execution, but Attorney General \u200bSteve Marshall has requested the use of nitrogen hypoxia, the Associated \u2064Press reported. Wednesday&#8217;s order requires Gov. Kay Ivey to set a date for the Department of Corrections to execute the defendant, 58-year-old Kenneth Smith, who underwent the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/alabama-fails-to-complete-lethal-injection-for-3rd-time-4873823\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">third botched execution<\/a> attempt by the state in \u200d2022.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>  Attorney General of Alabama Steve\u200d Marshall speaks to members of\u2064 the press after \u2062the oral argument of the Merrill v. Milligan\u200c case at \u200cthe \u200bU.S. Supreme Court in \u200bWashington, on Oct. 4, 2022.\u200b (Alex Wong\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mr. Smith narrowly escaped execution in\u200d a previous attempt when workers failed to find \u200dveins for lethal injection before the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-rejects-death-penalty-appeal-from-inmate-facing-lethal-injection-who-says-hes-afraid-of-needles\/\" title=\"Supreme Court Rejects Death Penalty Appeal From Inmate Facing Lethal Injection Who Says He's Afraid of Needles\">death warrant expired<\/a> at midnight, AL.com\u2062 reported.<\/p>\n<p>His attorneys\u2062 argue that Mr. Smith is being used as a &#8220;test subject&#8221; for this experimental method, which involves \u200dadministering gas through a mask placed on the \u2063prisoner&#8217;s face.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cWe remain hopeful that those who review \u2062this case will see that a second attempt to execute Mr. Smith\u2014this time with an experimental, never-before-used method\u2064 and with\u2062 a protocol that has never been fully disclosed to him \u2062or his \u200ccounsel\u2014is unwarranted and unjust,&#8221; said Robert Grass, an \u2064attorney for Mr. Smith.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Mr. Smith has been on death row since 1996 for his involvement in a &#8220;murder-for-hire&#8221; scheme that resulted \u200cin the death of \u200dElizabeth Dorlene Sennett in 1988. The execution date is yet to be determined, but the\u200d court&#8217;s order, passed with \u200da 6-2 vote, requires \u2064the governor to schedule\u2062 it within 30 days. The Department of Corrections has\u200d stated that they are prepared to carry out the court&#8217;s orders.<\/p>\n<h2>Related Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/alabama-seeks-to-execute-prisoner-using-nitrogen-gas-asphyxiation-5497208?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><br \/>\n<h3>Alabama Seeks to Execute Prisoner Using Nitrogen Gas Asphyxiation<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-comp-caption\">9\/23\/2023<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/supreme-court-sides-with-inmate-who-wants-to-be-executed-with-nitrogen-gas-5266041?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><br \/>\n<h3>Supreme Court Sides With Inmate Who Wants to \u2064Be Executed With Nitrogen Gas<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"text-comp-caption\">5\/16\/2023<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Mr. Smith&#8217;s attorneys believe that \u200cthe\u2064 state will not succeed in a second execution attempt.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Alabama Attorney General\u2062 Steve Marshall <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AGSteveMarshall\/status\/1719903117427237055?s=20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">welcomed<\/a> the state supreme court&#8217;s decision, stating on Nov. 1 that Ms. Sennett&#8217;s family &#8220;has waited an unconscionable \u206335 years to see justice served.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"post-figure\">\n<figure style=\"width:600px\" class=\"alignnone\"><figcaption>  Kenneth Eugene Smith in an undated photo. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>&#8220;Today, the Ala. Sup [sic] Court cleared the way for Kenneth Smith to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia for the 1988 murder-for-hire of Elizabeth. Though the wait has been far too long, I am grateful that our talented capital litigators have nearly gotten this case to the finish line.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>However, the execution has faced \u200ccriticism from the Death Penalty Information Center, and the American Civil Liberties Union \u200c(ACLU) has called on the governor to intervene. The ACLU accuses Alabama of \u2064using incarcerated individuals as \u200csubjects for nitrogen gas experimentation.<\/p>\n<p>The Nov. 1 order comes \u2064a year after Mr. Smith&#8217;s initially scheduled execution, which was \u200dpostponed by the U.S. Supreme Court. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented from their court&#8217;s decision, emphasizing that the Constitution \u200bdoes not guarantee a painless death for prisoners.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-5\"><em>Matthew Vadum contributed to this report.<\/em><\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What concerns do opponents\u2063 have regarding the use\u2062 of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alabama-seeks-to-execute-prisoner-using-nitrogen-gas-asphyxiation\/\" title=\"Alabama plans to execute inmate using nitrogen gas asphyxiation.\">nitrogen gas asphyxiation<\/a> for executions?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Nitrogen Gas \u200bAsphyxiation<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/alabama-fails-to-complete-lethal-injection-for-3rd-time-4873823?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><br \/>\n<h3>Alabama \u2062Fails to \u200cComplete Lethal Injection\u200d for 3rd Time<\/h3>\n<p><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The use \u200bof nitrogen gas asphyxiation as a \u2064method \u2062of execution\u200b has generated controversy and has \u200cbeen met with both support and opposition.\u2064 Proponents argue that this method\u2063 is more humane and painless compared to other execution methods, such \u200bas lethal injection or \u2064electrocution. They claim that nitrogen \u200dgas deprives\u2062 the brain of oxygen, \u200ccausing a painless death within\u200d minutes.<\/p>\n<p>However, opponents \u200cof this method raise concerns about its \u200cexperimental nature and the potential \u2063for botched executions.\u200d They argue that using \u200da \u200dnever-before-used\u200c method on\u2063 a condemned\u200b prisoner is\u200c ethically problematic and violates the Eighth Amendment&#8217;s prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment.<\/p>\n<p>This \u2063controversial decision by the Alabama Supreme Court comes at\u200d a time \u200dwhen the death penalty is already a \u200dsubject of intense debate. The use of nitrogen\u200b gas asphyxiation has reignited discussions about the morality and \u2062effectiveness\u2064 of capital punishment in the\u200b United \u200bStates.<\/p>\n<p>Critics argue that the death \u2063penalty has \u2063significant\u2062 flaws, citing \u2062studies \u2062that \u200dsuggest it does not serve as\u2063 an effective deterrent and\u200b can result in the execution of innocent individuals. Furthermore, they believe that the\u2064 death penalty disproportionately affects certain communities, particularly minority groups,\u200b and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-supporter-douglass-mackey-sentenced-to-7-months-in-prison-over-voting-memes\/\" title=\"Trump supporter Douglass Mackey sentenced to 7 months in prison for voting memes.\">perpetuates systemic inequalities<\/a> within\u200d the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fbi-needs-more-focus-accountability-commitment-to-civil-liberties-asa-hutchinson\/\" title=\"FBI must prioritize, be accountable, and protect civil liberties: Asa Hutchinson.\">criminal justice \u200bsystem<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>On \u2063the other hand, proponents \u200cof\u2062 the death penalty argue that it serves as a just punishment for those who commit\u200c heinous crimes. They \u2062believe that it \u2062provides closure \u200dfor victims&#8217; families and acts as a deterrent against future crimes.<\/p>\n<p>The decision of \u200bthe \u2063Alabama Supreme\u2063 Court to allow execution by nitrogen gas adds another layer to the \u200b<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/alabama-supreme-court-approves-first-nitrogen-gas-execution\/\" title=\"Alabama Supreme Court OKs First Nitrogen Gas Execution\">ongoing debate surrounding capital punishment<\/a>. It forces us to \u200dconfront the\u2063 ethical implications of \u2063using experimental methods to end \u200csomeone&#8217;s \u200blife \u2063and raises questions about the role of the state in \u200ddetermining the\u200d fate of its citizens.<\/p>\n<p>As this controversial case\u200c moves forward, \u200cit \u200dwill likely face further scrutiny \u2064and legal challenges. \u200dThe outcome of this execution could set a precedent for\u200b other states considering the use of nitrogen\u200d gas\u2064 asphyxiation \u200cor other alternative execution methods.<\/p>\n<p>In a country where the death \u2063penalty remains a divisive\u2062 issue,\u200d this decision\u200d by \u200bthe Alabama Supreme Court has only intensified the dialogue surrounding capital punishment&#8217;s morality, constitutionality, and\u200d effectiveness. Whether this case leads to a reevaluation of our approach\u200d to the death penalty or further entrenches existing viewpoints,\u2062 only\u200b time will tell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Alabama Supreme Court&#8217;s Nov. 1 order permits the state to execute a man using nitrogen gas asphyxiation, a controversial new method. While the order didn&#8217;t specify the execution method, Attorney General Steve Marshall has advocated for nitrogen hypoxia. This decision has sparked intense debate surrounding the death penalty.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":655,"featured_media":2090756,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2090755","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090755","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/655"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2090755"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2090755\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2090756"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2090755"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2090755"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2090755"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}