Alabama recently executed a convicted murderer, Kenneth Eugene Smith, using nitrogen hypoxia, a method different from the common hanging
Nitrogen hypoxia is an experimental method of execution using nitrogen gas, cutting off the supply of oxygen and causing suffocation
Nitrogen hypoxia is an experimental method of execution using nitrogen gas, cutting off the supply of oxygen and causing suffocation
The method uses a respiratory mask to block oxygen flow, leading to the inmate's death
Smith's execution using nitrogen hypoxia took approximately 22 minutes, during which he experienced writhing, thrashing, and heavy breathing before death
Nitrogen hypoxia is permitted for executions in three U.S. states: Alabama, Mississippi, and Oklahoma