Kenneth Eugene Smith's nitrogen hypoxia execution will be painless, insists ... trends now
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Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall insisted today that the controversial nitrogen hypoxia execution scheduled for Kenneth Eugene Smith tonight will be painless and will not cause him to vomit as he fears.
Smith is due to be executed at 6pm tonight at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. He has begged for it to be called off, citing his fears that the experimental gassing method will cause excruciating pain or cause him to vomit.
The Supreme Court yesterday denied an application for a stay. He filed another request today as the execution approached.
Kenneth Eugene Smith was sentenced to death in 1996 after admitting the murder-for-hire killing of a pastor's wife who was beaten and stabbed in 1988
Elizabeth Sennett, 45, was found dead on March 18, 1988, in the couple's home in Alabama's Colbert County. She had been stabbed eight times in the chest and once on each side of neck
In response, Marshall said his fears are unfounded.
Quoting experts including euthanasia expert Dr. Philip Nitschke, Marshall said nitrogen hypoxia is a 'peaceful' way to end a human life.
Nitschke had testified for Smith's legal team, who claimed the risks lay in the gas being administered through a mask.
In rebuttal, Marshall said the state's mask has been inspected and is tight enough to ensure no oxygen leaks in and prolongs the
