Arkansas

Comforting the condemned: Inside the execution chamber with reverend focused on humanity

Published

1 year ago

June 16, 2024

Comforting the condemned: Inside the execution chamber with reverend focused on humanity

The Rev. Jeff Hood of Little Rock, Arkansas, has witnessed seven executions, including the nation’s most recent, that of David Hosier in Missouri. Hood helps ‘make them feel like a human being.’

When the Rev. Jeff Hood entered Missouri’s execution chamber this past week, he saw something hauntingly out of the ordinary: himself.

The window to the death chamber is one-way, meaning witnesses can see inmates but inmates cannot see who is watching them, Hood told USA TODAY, adding that every other execution he’s witnessed in other states has been in a room with a two-way window.

“It’s like a house of horrors,” Hood said. “It’s very, very bizarre.”

Hood walked in to find his friend, David Hosier − a man condemned to die for the 2009 murder of a former lover − strapped to the gurney. Hosier’s final words to the reverend before Missouri executed him: “Give ’em hell, Jeff.” Encouragement for Hood to keep fighting against the ultimate punishment.

As Hood put his hand on Hosier’s shoulder and began to read scripture, the intravenous line to deliver the lethal injection was near Hood’s elbow. Soon the reverend was able to see the pentobarbital − or as he calls it, “poison” − travel to end Hosier’s life.

When time of death was pronounced at 6:11 p.m. on Tuesday, Hosier became the seventh man Hood has seen executed.

Hood says witnessing executions makes him feel ‘like a murderer’

In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that spiritual advisers must be allowed into execution chambers if death row inmates want them. Since then, the 40-year-old Hood − who lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with his wife and five children − has made it one of his missions to comfort the condemned in their final weeks, hours and minutes.

“My job is to come into their lives when they have six to three months left to live and become their best friend,” Hood told USA TODAY in an interview shortly after Hosier’s execution. “I become their best friend in order to be their best friend when they die.”

After seven executions, Hood said it doesn’t get any easier. If anything, it’s gotten harder.

“You feel like a murderer,” he said. “I’m called to be there for my guy. I’m called to pray. I’m called to read scripture. For all of my good intentions, I ultimately do nothing to stop it … I sit there and watch someone I love be murdered. In my inaction, I join the team of murderers.

“Being a part of the entire process is moral torture,” he added.

But Hood feels compelled to continue the work. Three inmates have asked him to accompany them to their executions in the next six months, and he works with about two dozen others throughout the country. This despite what he says have been numerous death threats against him and his family.

Why?

“Giving someone a voice, that’s the only thing that can make them feel like a human being,” he said.

Hood witnessed world’s first nitrogen gas execution

While Hood says every execution he’s witnessed is disturbing, he’s particularly haunted by that of Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was put to death by nitrogen gas in Alabama in January for his role in a murder-for-hire plot of a preacher’s wife in 1988.

“He literally was heaving back and forth, his face was hitting the front of the mask,” Hood says. “Mucus and slobber were drizzling down the front of the inside of the mask … It was like his veins all over his body were spidering and that there were ants up on his skin that were moving in every single direction.”

Marty Roney, a reporter with the Montgomery Advertiser − part of the USA TODAY Network − was also among witnesses and reported that Smith “appeared to convulse and shake vigorously for about four minutes after the nitrogen gas apparently began flowing through his full-face mask,” and that “it was another two to three minutes before he appeared to lose consciousness, all while gasping for air to the extent that the gurney shook several times.”

By appearances, lethal injections almost look like medical procedures, Hood said, while the nitrogen gas method “looks like a very vicious, horrible murder.”

Among Smith’s last words before he suffocated: “Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward.”

In a statement following Smith’s execution, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall noted that it “marked the first time in the nation – and the world – that nitrogen hypoxia was used as the method of execution.”

The state “has achieved something historic,” he added. Alabama is set to execute another inmate, Alan Eugene Miller, with nitrogen gas in September. Miller, who was convicted of killing three people during two workplace shootings in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1999, is arguing against the method in a lawsuit, saying it’s cruel and unusual punishment.

Hood focuses on love at most recent execution

At the most recent execution Hood attended, that of David Hosier on June 11, he said he read from the Bible as he held the inmate’s shoulder.

As we was reading, Hood says Hosier repeated the phrase, “Give ’em hell,” an apparent reference to Hood’s hope to see the death penalty abolished.

Hosier was convicted in the 2009 shooting death of his former lover, Angela Gilpin, a married mother of two sons. Gilpin was seeing Hosier while she was separated from her husband but had decided to make her marriage work and broke it off with Hosier, who always maintained his innocence.

Hood said that Hosier was 100% convinced of his innocence and that he wasn’t just “putting on a show.” Hood gave Hosier absolution for his sins and did not confess to the crime in his final moments.

While Hood says he was being tortured by his own emotions during the process, his focus was on ensuring Hosier felt love and felt like a human being.

“I think that in the last few weeks, David got a lot of his dignity back,” Hood said.

“I’m the luckiest man on Earth,” Hosier said in a final statement sent to reporters shortly before he was put to death. “I’ve been able to speak the the truth of my innocence … I leave you all with love.”

Contributing: Marty Roney of the Montgomery Advertiser

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Arkansas

Q&A: St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Eli Hoff talks Arkansas-Missouri football | Whole Hog Sports

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17 hours ago

November 28, 2025

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Q&A: St. Louis Post-Dispatch reporter Eli Hoff talks Arkansas-Missouri football | Whole Hog Sports

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Arkansas

Persisting problems doom John Calipari, Arkansas basketball’s upset bid vs Duke

Published

1 day ago

November 28, 2025

Press Room

Persisting problems doom John Calipari, Arkansas basketball’s upset bid vs Duke

CHICAGO — Persisting problems plagued Arkansas basketball in its second marquee matchup of the 2025-26 season.

The No. 21 Razorbacks (5-2) led by seven points with 10 minutes remaining, but No. 4 Duke (7-0) rallied for an 80-71 victory behind 35 points from Cameron Boozer. Arkansas had a chance at snagging a resume-building win, but in a similar fashion to their loss at Michigan State, the Hogs failed to execute down the stretch.

Against the Spartans, Arkansas scored three points in the final 3:57. A similar drought doomed the Razorbacks on Thanksgiving as the Hogs made two field goals across the last six minutes. Duke closed its win on a 19-7 run.

“We just got to figure out how to finish games collectively. Be connected,” coach John Calipari said.

The final two baskets for Arkansas came from Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas. The two freshmen once again led the Hogs on offense. Acuff scored 21, and Thomas chipped in 13.

According to Duke coach Jon Scheyer, limiting Arkansas’ young backcourt unlocked Duke’s defense down the stretch.

“Guarding the ball with Caleb (Foster) on Acuff,” Scheyer said. “I thought Nick Khamenia had some great moments with Thomas. I thought it started with guarding the ball. I thought our switches were tight with all these guys, and then just you try to make them score over the top, knowing they may hit a couple.”

But Arkansas’ problems extend beyond bouts of poor offense from its dynamic freshmen. Those two are consistent scorers. The same can’t be said for the rest of the roster.

Trevon Brazile had a strong night with 11 points and 11 rebounds, but Karter Knox and D.J. Wagner combined for just five points. It was the second dud against a ranked opponent for Knox, who was scoreless against Michigan State.

He and Wagner were supposed to be two of Arkansas’ best players this season. Neither is averaging more than eight points.

The duo combined to play just 14 minutes in the second half. Calipari rode Acuff at point guard and gave Billy Richmond III 13 minutes at the wing. The coach liked Richmond’s hustle on the glass, but the sophomore finished with five turnovers.

After the game, Calipari didn’t dish out much concern with the pieces surrounding his five-star freshmen.

“The other guys had it going, and that’s why D.J. didn’t play as much, but I know who DJ is as a player. I respect him and love him as a player,” Calipari said.

“Love coaching them, but look, when you’re coaching sometimes, the way the game goes, somebody plays more and somebody plays less. Next game may be somebody else. Maybe Karter plays more and Billy plays less, but we had a chance to win.”

If the Razorbacks want to capitalize on these chances, they must get more consistent production from up and down the roster.

There won’t be a shortage of opportunities. The Hogs face No. 4 Louisville, No. 2 Houston and No. 20 Texas Tech in the next four weeks. The Cardinals come to Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday.

Jackson Fuller covers Arkansas football, basketball and baseball for the Southwest Times Record, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at jfuller@usatodayco.com or follow him @jacksonfuller16 on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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Petrino not ready to tip hand at QB | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

2 days ago

November 27, 2025

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Petrino not ready to tip hand at QB | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

FAYETTEVILLE — Generating yardage has seldom been a problem for the University of Arkansas football team this season.

Under second-year offensive coordinator and interim Coach Bobby Petrino, the Razorbacks (2-9, 0-7 SEC) check in at third in the SEC and 11th in the country in total offense with 473.8 yards per game heading into Saturday’s season-finale against Missouri (7-4, 3-4).

That’s one of the reasons why Petrino’s name remained on the edges in the hunt to take over the full-time coaching duties, even if the odds are slim, and why he’d be a coveted coordinator in 2026 for many a coach.

The issues on offense have dealt more with hanging onto the football and ultimately cashing in points to match the big production, largely triggered by senior quarterback Taylen Green, who is sixth in the country with 311.6 yards per game.

The albatross is a turnover margin of minus-1.09 per game, with 20 turnovers versus 8 takeaways, a deficit that is 5-0 in the past two games and only two takeaways against SEC competition.

Asked if turnover margin was the biggest culprit that has defined the season, Petrino replied, “No question about it.

“As far as what we’ve been able to do with yards and points and third-down conversions, you look at a lot of the statistics and we’re doing a nice job. But turning the ball over is what has hurt us the most.”

Green has thrown 11 interceptions and lost 3 of 6 fumbles through 11 games for an average of 1 interception and 1.3 turnovers per game. Only five FBS starting quarterbacks ranked in the top 100 have thrown more interceptions than Green.

Petrino elected to not have Green return to action during the second half of last week’s 52-37 loss at No. 17 Texas after he was out briefly with tightening hamstrings. Green’s final play was a head-scratcher of a pitch into the second level of the Texas defense, which was intercepted by Jelani McDonald and returned 11 yards to set up a touchdown for a 38-20 Longhorn lead.

Backup KJ Jackson, in the most significant action of his college career, also accounted for a turnover — a strip sack initiated by Collin Simmons and returned 52 yards for a touchdown by Liona Leafu. But he led scoring drives on his three other possessions.

So Petrino enters the final game with a quarterback question: Go with the fifth-year senior as the best option to beat Missouri or roll with the redshirt freshman, who is coming off a solid showing.

Petrino said he’d keep the starting job under wraps all week.

Missouri Coach Eli Drinkwitz, like a string of SEC coaches before him, touts Green’s abilities.

“I think their quarterback is as good a quarterback as there is in the country,” Drinkwitz said. “I believe he leads the SEC in total yardage. I think he is a tremendous player.”

Arkansas senior guard Fernando Carmona said he has belief in either quarterback the Razorbacks could employ.

“A young guy with energy and he took full advantage of his opportunity,” Carmona said of Jackson. “He played a great game. Came in there and we were down a few points, and we had to go out there and pass the ball and he did a great job.

“The thing that stood out to me is young guys are usually more quiet. But KJ was loud. He was yelling at us to get lined up on the ball and he was leading us. So I told him after the game, I was like, ‘Dude, I’m really proud of you.’ “

But Carmona also touted Green’s leadership since he stepped on campus in the spring semester of 2024.

“Taylen’s an ultimate leader at the end of the day,” he said. “Whether he’s playing or whatever the case is, or if he’s hurt, or whatever it may be, he’s always leading. Regardless if he’s playing or not, he’s going to be the same old Taylen.

“They’re both obviously great quarterbacks. You’ve seen that. It’s going to turn out, whoever’s the best and whoever lines up to be the best quarterback at the time. But I think whoever we have in there, we have ultimate faith in. Those are two great sports. Two great leaders, and they’re just trying to get each other ready, and they obviously want what’s best for the team.”

Petrino handpicked Green to join him after he was named Arkansas’ offensive coordinator two winters ago.

“We came in together, obviously, and I had a big thing to do with recruiting him here,” Petrino said. “We inherited an offense that wasn’t real good. I feel like he’s done a really nice job of competing.

“He’s been tough. He’s been able to win games. At one time, in his first year here, we were 4-2 and feeling good about it. He ended up having a great game in the bowl game.”

Petrino also said he thinks Green has been under more pressure this season.

“This year, it’s been a hard go,” Petrino said. “I think it’s been a hard go when you have an offense that is explosive and able to score points, but not able to score as many as the other team.

“That puts a lot of pressure on you. You start feeling the pressure and you tighten up. And I think that’s where some of these errors and things have come. … When you feel like you have to score every single time you go out on the field, you don’t just play as freely as you would, you know?

“I think that’s been … some of the issues. Obviously, he needs to overcome that and take care of the ball. It’s just been a thing about taking care of the ball more than anything else. Everything else, he’s done a good job of playing, but he has been prone to turn the ball over. In games where you have to try to outscore the other team, it adds up.”

The Razorbacks want to be able to rely on their rushing attack, which ranks 20th in the country with 203.8 yards per game, though they will face the country’s 22-ranked run-stop defense in the Tigers, who allow 107.2 yards per game.

“They’re a great defense,” Carmona said. “All three layers, you know, to the box, to the safeties, all of them are really good. I think it all starts up front. We’ve got to control that line of scrimmage and really run the ball.”

Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. exceeded 1,000 rushing yards for the season last week and enters the finale with 1,020 and an average of 6.5 yards per carry.

“I think their running back is an excellent player,” Drinkwitz said. “They did a great job in their scouting department getting him, recruiting him, and finding him from New Mexico State. And I think they’ve got some dangerous weapons in both the tight end and the wide receiver room.”

Arkansas tight ends Jaden Platt and Rohan Jones combined for 9 receptions for 148 yards and Platt had an 8-yard touchdown reception against Texas last week. Jones, who averages a hefty 27.4 yards per catch, had a season-high 5 catches for 82 yards.

At a glanceMISSOURI AT ARKANSASWHEN 2:30 p.m. SaturdayWHERE Reynolds Razorback Stadium, FayettevilleRECORDS Missouri 7-4, 3-4 SEC; Arkansas 2-9, 0-7TV SEC NetworkRADIO Razorback Sports NetworkLINE Missouri by 2 1/2

Arkansas Coach Bobby Petrino (above) said he’d keep the starting quarterback against Missouri under wraps all week after both Taylen Green and KJ Jackson played in the Razorbacks’ loss to the Texas Longhorns last Saturday.
(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)

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