Kenneth Smith, a convicted murderer in Alabama, has made history as the first person worldwide to be executed using nitrogen gas. Officials at the Alabama Department of Corrections carried out the execution, which took place on Thursday, January 25, at William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. Kenneth Smith, aged 58, succumbed to nitrogen hypoxia at 8:25 pm CT, as confirmed by the state’s Republican Governor, Kay Ivey.
Elizabeth Sennett’s life was tragically taken by Kenneth Eugene Smith on March 18, 1988, and after over 30 years and numerous attempts to manipulate the system, Smith faced the consequences for his heinous crimes, according to a statement from Governor Ivey.
The execution was conducted lawfully using nitrogen hypoxia, the method specifically requested by Smith as an alternative to lethal injection. Governor Ivey expressed relief that Smith received the method he had asked for, bringing closure to the case. She extended prayers for Elizabeth Sennett’s family to find solace after enduring the loss for so many years.
Prior to his execution, Smith was visited by his wife and sons, who also witnessed the event. His last meal consisted of steak, eggs, and hash browns.
Media witnesses who saw correctional authorities administer the death penalty said the prisoner’s final words included, “Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards… Thank you for supporting me. Love you all.
“I’m leaving with love, peace, and light.”
As officials conducted the execution at 7.53pm, Smith turned to his family and signed “I love you.” The witnesses reported seeing Smith shaking and writhing. The curtains closed at 8.15pm.
Ms Sennett’s sons, Mike and Chuck Sennett, addressed members of the media following the execution.
“Nothing happened here today is going to bring mom back,” Chuck Sennett said from a podium at the correctional facility. “It’s kind of a bittersweet day. We’re not going to be jumping around…We’re glad this day is over.”
He continued his remarks by saying that he’s forgiven all of the men who played a role in his mother’s death.
“Evil deeds have consequences,” Ms Sennett’s son added. “Kenneth Smith made some bad decisions 35 years ago and his debt was paid tonight.”
It was the second attempt to execute Smith. In November 2022, officials attempted to kill him with lethal injection but were unable to place two intravenous lines into his system for four hours. Authorities eventually gave up because Smith’s death warrant was expiring.
At the time, it was the third consecutive botched execution attempt by the state using lethal injection. Smith said the experience left him with physical and psychological pain, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
Speaking about his second execution attempt, Smith voiced his preference for nitrogen hypoxia but expressed concern about the state’s untested method, including the likelihood that he could vomit, be left in a vegetative state, or experience the painful sensation of suffocation.
According to Alabama’s death penalty protocol for nitrogen hypoxia, prisoners are to be put to death with a fitted mask and breathing tube to control gas, slowly depriving them of oxygen.
