Jump to content

White House Expresses Deep Concerns Over Alabama's First Nitrogen Gas Execution


Social Media

Recommended Posts

image.png

 

The White House has conveyed deep concern over the execution of Kenneth Smith in Alabama, marking the first use of nitrogen gas as a method of capital punishment in the United States. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the reports of Smith's execution were troubling to the administration, emphasizing President Biden's longstanding concerns about the implementation of the death penalty and its alignment with American values.

 

Kenneth Smith was executed on Thursday, breathing nitrogen gas through a face mask, which led to oxygen deprivation. The method's unprecedented use prompted criticism, with opponents arguing that it violated constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment. Smith had been convicted of a murder-for-hire killing dating back to 1988.

 

The Supreme Court rejected a last-minute attempt to halt Smith's execution, although Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a dissenting opinion, characterizing Alabama's use of nitrogen gas as an experimental approach, treating Smith as a "guinea pig" for a new execution method.

 

Attorney General Merrick Garland imposed a moratorium on the federal death penalty in 2021, a decision supported by President Biden. Jean-Pierre reiterated the president's deep concerns about the death penalty's implementation. Despite the federal moratorium, federal prosecutors recently announced their intention to seek the death penalty for the gunman responsible for the 2022 killing of 10 Black people at a Buffalo, N.Y., grocery store.

 

27.01.24

Source

 

image.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.










×
×
  • Create New...