Kenneth Eugene Smith
Photo: Disclosure/Alabama Department of Correction
The US state of Alabama executed the 25th prisoner, Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, by nitrogen gas asphyxiation on Thursday. The unprecedented method caused controversy as it was classified as torture.
The case paved the way for the use of a controversial new method of execution that the United Nations considers “cruel, inhumane and degrading.” This controversial method involves depriving the body of oxygen by inhaling pure nitrogen.
The Australian doctor Philip Nitschke, a specialist in nitrogen asphyxation for euthanasia, spoke to Fantástico. He visited Kenneth Smith, the man executed last Thursday, in prison and inspected the facilities. He decided against execution.
“They even put the mask on me that was used to apply the nitrogen and then I went to testify in court. Nitrogen asphyxiation cannot be used in an execution because the person might fight and resist. For people who are sentenced to death, I think it should be abandoned,” he says.
According to Pastor Jeff Hood, who attended the execution and assigned extreme rituals to the criminal.
“It was a horror film. He looked like a fish out of water. He shook up and down and his face turned blue and red. I just thought: My God, when will this stop? I'll have that.” “I've had nightmares about this for a long time because of what I saw,” says the priest.
Dr. Nitshcke explained that one of the problems in Alabama was the use of an illfitting mask, which could have had serious consequences if it didn't work.
“Smith held his breath to keep the nitrogen from entering his lungs. This slowed down the process. He started having convulsions and convulsions because his brain was receiving less oxygen, which really upset viewers,” he explains.
UN denounces possible torture
The United Nations, through its human rights office, has raised serious concerns about this case. The panel called on the state of Alabama to stay Smith's execution, fearing it could lead to torture.
“We fear that executing Smith under these circumstances would violate the prohibition of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, as well as his (a convicted person's) right to an effective remedy,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the Offices of Human Rights.
Kenneth Smith executed
According to the AP news agency, Smith, who was convicted of murder, was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. (local time). The execution lasted about 22 minutes and a few people were allowed to watch the prisoner's death.
According to witnesses, a mask was placed on Smith so he could inhale pure nitrogen gas, resulting in death from lack of oxygen. He appeared to be conscious for several minutes during the execution. He appeared to shake and twitch on the stretcher for at least two minutes. Then he began to breathe deeply until his breath was no longer noticeable.
“Tonight, Alabama takes a step back for humanity,” Smith said in a closing statement. “I leave with love, peace and light,” he added. He also made the “I love you” sign with his hands towards the family members present. “Thank you very much for supporting me. I love you all,” he said.
After the inmate's death, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey declared that the execution was justified. “After more than 30 years and attempts to manipulate the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his terrible crimes,” she said.
Mike Sennett, the son of Elizabeth Sennett, a woman murdered with Smith's involvement in 1988, also commented: “Nothing that happened here today will bring mom back. We are not going to jump around and scream at the top of our lungs. “In conclusion, I would like to say that Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett received justice tonight.”
the execution
Smith's execution by nitrogen gas asphyxiation has sparked controversy in Alabama in recent weeks. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the method, never used before, could amount to torture and called for the plan to be abandoned. Doctors and activists also warned of the risk of consequences such as seizures and even survival in a vegetative state.
The state of Alabama predicted that nitrogen would cause an inmate to lose consciousness within seconds and die within minutes. When asked about Smith's shaking on the gurney, Alabama Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm said it appeared to be involuntary movements. “This was all to be expected and was due to the side effects we have seen or studied with nitrogen hypoxia. Nothing was out of the ordinary that we expected,” said Hamm.
Smith's spiritual advisor, the Rev. Jeff Hood, who was also present, said the execution did not meet expectations. “We didn't see anyone pass out in 30 seconds. What we saw were minutes in which someone was fighting for his life,” commented the advisor.
Before his death, Smith met with family members and his spiritual advisor. He ate a final meal of steak, hash browns, toast, and eggs covered in steak sauce.
Appeal rejected
On Wednesday the 24th, the United States Supreme Court rejected Smith's request for a stay of execution. The justices refused to hear his legal challenge that a second attempt to execute Alabama after the first caused him severe trauma would violate the Eighth U.S. Constitution's protection against cruel and unusual punishment. No judge publicly disagreed with the decision.
The first attempt to execute Smith took place in November 2022. At the time, officials were unable to do so due to the difficulty of injecting a lethal chemical mixture into his vein within the time allotted to carry out the sentence.
Smith was convicted in 1989 of the murder of a pastor's wife, Elizabeth Sennett, who was stabbed and beaten. He and his accomplice were hired by the victim's husband, Charles Sennett. In 1996, a jury recommended a life sentence without parole for Smith, but the judge decided to sentence him to death.
Source: Redação Terra