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Alabama executes Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas

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Alabama executes Kenneth Eugene Smith using nitrogen gas


Authorities in Alabama put Kenneth Eugene Smith to death Thursday using nitrogen hypoxia, marking the first time the method has been used for execution in U.S. history.

Officials in Alabama said Smith was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. after breathing from a mask that delivered pure nitrogen gas.

Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request by Smith to block the execution. Also Wednesday, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals cleared the way for Alabama to proceed with the execution.

In execution by nitrogen hypoxia, a person is deprived of oxygen and forced to breathe pure nitrogen. Death results when oxygen levels in the blood drop too low.

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Alabama, along with Oklahoma and Mississippi, are the first states to authorize execution by the method.

SEE MORE: Alabama inmate to be first prisoner executed with nitrogen gas

Attorneys for Smith argued that the method of his execution “would constitute cruel and unusual punishment.” They warned that the untested method could cause stroke or a vegetative state.

Alabama said Smith had previously requested the execution method as an alternative to lethal injection.

The state first attempted to execute Smith in 2022 via lethal injection, but the procedure was canceled after those administering it could not connect the required intravenous lines to Smith’s veins. Smith’s lawyers said he spent nearly four hours strapped to a gurney during that attempt. 

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Smith was convicted in the murder of Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.


Trending stories at Scrippsnews.com





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Alabama hires former college offensive lineman as assistant tight ends coach

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Alabama hires former college offensive lineman as assistant tight ends coach




Alabama football is hiring Noah Fisher to be its assistant tight ends coach, according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz.

Fisher spent two seasons as a graduate assistant working with the offensive line and tight ends at Louisville before joining the Tide’s staff. He played three years on the offensive line at South Alabama and spent one season with Tulane. The Jaguars started Fisher along its offensive line when he was a player for multiple games.

The Crimson Tide appear to want to use their tight ends in multiple ways in the future including as extra blockers along the line of scrimmage. Fisher looks as if he can assist the Tide with this mission.

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Petition calls on State of Alabama to fund fix for Prichard sewer system after spills

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Petition calls on State of Alabama to fund fix for Prichard sewer system after spills


Sewage overflows during storms in Prichard are sending wastewater into local waterways that feed Mobile Bay, prompting an environmental group to push for state funding to upgrade aging infrastructure.

Mobile Baykeeper says sewage overflows during storms flow into Three Mile Creek, then into the Mobile River, and ultimately end up in Mobile Bay. The group said that last week, during heavy rain, more than 256,000 gallons of sewage spilled into Gum Tree Branch and Three Mile Creek.

Mobile Baykeeper has launched a petition seeking funding from the state of Alabama to fix Prichard’s old water infrastructure.



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Crash Closes Crescent Ridge Road Early Monday Morning

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Crash Closes Crescent Ridge Road Early Monday Morning


This resulted in the stretch of Crescent Ridge Road to be closed while wrecker crews work to recover the vehicle involved in the crash.

Troopers with ALEA’s Highway Patrol Division are on the scene investigating the circumstances surrounding the wreck.





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