The nitrogen asphyxiation specialist expressed a statement against the use of the method
Australian doctor Philip Nitschke, a specialist in nitrogen asphyxiation for euthanasia, was one of the interviewees of reporter Jorge Pontual. 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.
“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.
1 of 1 Pastor gave the final anointing to Kenneth Smith, who was executed by nitrogen asphyxiation Photo: Fantástico Pastor gave the final anointing to Kenneth Smith, who was executed by nitrogen asphyxiation Photo: Fantástico
Dr. Nitshcke explains 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.
At the White House, spokeswoman Karine JeanPierre said President Joe Biden was very concerned about the use of nitrogen in the death penalty. Jewish organizations said they were “appalled” by the new method, which came on the eve of International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holocaust, when millions of Jews died in gas chambers.
Another speaker was Robin Maher, director of the Death Penalty Information Center, who reported a littleknown figure that heightened the controversy on the issue: Since 1973, 196 death row inmates have been released after proving their innocence, and many others ended up innocent before he did convinced the courts.
“Evidence later emerged that they were not guilty. They were wrongfully executed. The system is faulty. This has contributed to the change in public opinion,” she emphasizes.