Witnesses and relatives of Kenneth Smith reveal shocking details of his murder with nitrogen gas

Last January 25 Alabama The first implementation was carried out in USA using nitrogen gas, a method that generated mixed opinions among the few witnesses who witnessed the event. Kenneth Smith, convicted of murder Elizabeth Sennett After surviving a failed execution attempt in November 2022, in 1988, he became the first person to undergo such an execution.

Those present at the execution described variations in what they observed during the approximately 22 minutes they were allowed to watch. However, the state lawyers argued that Nitrogen gas inhalation Will lose consciousness in a matter of seconds, quickly resulting in Smith’s life, interviewed by witnesses The New York TimesThey stated that he remained conscious for several minutes after his onset.

Purpose behind the use of nitrogen gasIt was to offer a more humane alternative, it was argued lethal injectionEspecially after the first failed attempt to carry out Smith’s death sentence, when those in charge of the procedure were unable to access a suitable vein to administer the lethal drugs.

Supreme Court of the United States Authorized for execution of Kenneth Smith Shortly before 7:00 pm local time, he was then taken to the execution chamber. The day began with an unusual situation: A corrections officer reported that Smith was resisting. “They told me, ‘He’s resisting,'” said the Reverend Jeff Hood, who was with Smith during most of the execution and for several months before.

Once on the stretcher, Smith tried to comfort those present, giving repeated reassurances “I have, I have”. Smith’s figure echoed in the room while, referring to his execution as his On “Release Date”, he declared that he finally felt free. “Today is my release date, I’m out of here,” Smith said, according to Reverend Hood, who shared the moment with him.

Hood, intervening during the final preparations, anointed Smith’s head in a gesture of anointing. The reverend recalls how, while reading passages from the Bible, Smith responded considerable energy. “I’d say, ‘God is my shepherd,’ and he’d say, ‘Hell yeah!'” Hood said.

As the time for the execution approached, Smith continued to ignore him. “When he was on camera, before they opened the curtain, he moved his head around, like he was listening to music,” Hood shared.

Kenneth Eugene Smith He never took his eyes off her Dear No Your family members During its execution, one by one they check their faces, smile and make several gestures with their fingers that mean “I love you.”

Five journalists from media as Montgomery Advertiser And Associated Press, along with Smith’s relatives, saw the results of the long wait that ended at 7:53 p.m. As Ronnie said, journalists carefully divided tasks to document a historical event Time.

In the narrow space of the witness room, approximately 2.44 by 3.66 meters, the atmosphere was permeated with a strong smell. pesticide, striking a somber contrast with Smith’s gestures of love and farewell. At the same time, in the adjacent witness room, the Children of the victim With the murder and other relatives witnessing The phenomenon of opposite feelings.

Vivid detail of Khaki uniform of Smith, white sheets and a Breathing mask With a blue border, an image is created that will remain in the memory of those present. Ralph Chapoco No Alabama Reflector He reported how Smith tried to console his relatives with significant gestures:

“From the moment the curtain was opened and during the time the prison staff read Death warrant, Kenneth Eugene Smith He didn’t take his eyes off her Supporters No Your family members. …He looked at their faces one by one, smiled at each of them and several times made a sign with his fingers that meant “I love you.” He would look one person in the eye, smile, then move to the other, smile and then move to the other,” he said.

Smith He was seen struggling to breathe for about four minutes, during which time he also tried in vain to free himself from the safety bands holding his head. stretcherAs he said Marty RoneyJournalist for many years Montgomery Advertiser.

“For four minutes, he was panting. He seemed conscious. He convulsed, he cried, stretcher “It was shaking considerably,” said Ronnie, who tried to count the seconds that had passed by then Smith’s last breath. “They don’t allow us watches. There is no other hand on the clock. It is a digital watch that is in military time. “I’m sitting there, ‘One Mississippi, two Mississippi,’ between his breaths,” he said New York Times.

Commissioner John Hamm of the prison system AlabamaTried to explain the condemned man’s behavior that he once tried to hold his breath Nitrogen began to flow, which could prolong his suffering. “Apparently, Smith was trying to hold his breath as much as possible,” Hamm said, adding that he moved involuntarily and that his struggle And Agonal breathing were within expected side effects Nitrogen hypoxia.

for its part, Mike SennettElizabeth Sennett, son of the deceased by Smith, and present in the room intended for her Aggrieved family During the execution, he shared his impression in a press conference, announcing it Inability to forget violent past moments By Kenneth Smith.

According to the Senate, there is a Almost complete silence When they saw attacks of condemnation. “We were told it would take two or three breaths and then it would go away. It didn’t happen” said Sennett, who also noted that Smith tried to stand up, which he believed to be a possible survival instinct.

After more than 35 years of waiting, Amal Kenneth Smith And with that, the case was closed. The execution ended at 8:15 p.m. local time, when the curtains of the witness room for the prisoners were closed. media.

Mike SennettVisibly affected and without his glasses, trying to read some notes prepared for the occasion, expressed that The family did not celebrateBut she was relieved that The torture would have ended. “We’re not celebrating, we’re just relieved it’s finally happened.”

On the other hand, in an impromptu press conference at the hotel where he was staying, Deanna Smiththe wife Kenneth who married her while in jail in 2021, shared her heartbreaking experience. said wearing a t-shirt “Never Be Alone”, Dina How her husband “suffered convulsions and struggled to breathe for at least 10 minutes.” “My question to you is where is the humanity? Where is the compassion?”, he questioned, criticizing the presence of the press during those heartbreaking moments.