Kenneth Eugene Smith: First US Executioner Executed by Nitrogen Gas – Last Moments Remembered by Spiritual Mentor

2024-01-27 08:13:15

Kenneth Eugene Smith, the first US executioner to be executed by nitrogen gas, remembers the last moments of his spiritual mentor. Rev: Jeff Hood shared his experience. He said that even the jail staff have not recovered from the shock of the incident. Jeff Hood said it was a scary experience. He said Smith was as restless as a fish caught on shore.

There was shock and amazement on their faces. They were told that it would be a very quick and painless death. They kept saying it was the most humane way,” Jeff Hood said.

Advertising

At the same time, Jeff Hood said that the prison staff who saw Smith’s execution were horrified. He added that the facial expressions of the prison staff have completely changed.

Smith died about 22 minutes later. He was executed at the WC Holman Correctional Facility in Alabama.

Also read- Writer E. Jean Carroll awarded Rs 9 crore in defamation case against Donald Trump

“It was a horrible experience. I will always be haunted by this scene. “Smith’s last minute antics were reminiscent of Hollywood films,” said Jeff Hood. Hood added that the execution chamber almost looks like a movie set.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was sentenced to death for the 1988 murder of Elizabeth Sennett, a pastor’s wife. There was also a public outcry against the death penalty by nitrogen gas. It was criticized by the European Union, the United Nations and White House circles.

The head of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, Volker Türk, as well as representatives of the European Union and US civil liberties organizations, expressed concern over the manner of Smith’s execution. Turk said that this is a cruel method.

Advertising

“It is time to end the death penalty. This is not a 21st century practice,” said Raveena Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva. “It was cruel and unusual punishment,” an EU spokesman said.

Many states in the US have implemented the death penalty by lethal injection. The states of Alabama, Oklahoma, and Mississippi have approved nitrogen executions.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall defended Smith’s death sentence. “The death penalty was carried out in a proper manner. “Alabama will continue to carry out nitrogen executions,” Marshall said.

Advertising

Read the most reliable news, live information, world, national, Bollywood, sports, business, health and lifestyle news on news news 18 Malayalam website.