"This is barbarism": Criticism stirs online as SCOTUS allows Alabama to carry out Kenneth Smith's execution by nitrogen gas

By Nirali Sheth

Modified Jan 25, 2024 06:29 GMT

Execution by Nitrogen gas (Representative Image via Freepik)

Recently, the Supreme Court allowed Alabama to carry out Kenneth Smith's execution using nitrogen gas, making him the first person in the United States to be put to death using this method. On Wednesday, January 24, 2023, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) rejected an appeal by Smith's lawyers who called the "experimental" method unconstitutional.

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This is the second time the state will carry out Kenneth Smith's execution, the first time being a failed lethal injection in 2022. The execution stems from the murder of Elizabeth Sennett, whom he was hired to kill back in 1988.

Nitrogen hypoxia, the method that will be used to execute Smith, is a process where one is forced to inhale pure nitrogen gas by strapping an airtight mask, causing suffocation. Using nitrogen gas is highly controversial as it could amount to torture, promoting legal action from the United Nations.

Needless to say, the decision left netizens shocked, with many criticizing the SCOTUS.

A comment reacting to the news (Image via X/ @Shoes4Indstry)

"Evil. SCOTUS is evil": Internet users react to Kenneth Smith's execution using nitrogen hypoxia

Smith's execution is scheduled for approximately Thursday, January 25, at 6 pm CST at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility. However, according to the New York Times, it can be done at any moment until 6 am the next day.

As news of Kenneth Smith's execution using nitrogen gas went viral, netizens were quick to express their shock and horror. While many stated that the death penalty should be made illegal, others remarked that it was "disgusting" and "monstrous."

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What did Kenneth Smith do?

Back in 1988, Charles Sennett, a minister, arranged for his wife Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett to be killed. According to WVTV, he hired Billy Gray Williams to carry out the murder. Williams in turn hired Kenneth Smith and John Parker, who were paid $1000 each. Elizabeth was found stabbed, and they made the scene look like a burglary gone wrong.

Kenneth Smith was eventually indicted for the murder. Williams, who was sentenced to life without parole, died in 2020, and Parker, who was sentenced to death, was executed in 2010.

Smith has asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to stop the execution. However, the court has yet to issue its ruling.

About the author

Nirali has been a popular culture writer at Sportskeeda for the past 1.5 years, covering celebrity/influencer trends and profile/histories, political news, crime reports, and lifestyle. She completed her Bachelor's in Architecture from University of Mumbai and Masters in Heritage Conservation from University of Southern California. Professionally, Nirali has a strong 7.5-year experience working as an architect, an Assistant Archivist and a Digital Archivist across three companies.

Nirali’s educational qualifications and unique career trajectory put great emphasis on research and writing, which along with her personal interest in popular culture, led her to the current role at Sportskeeda. Her specialties are researching histories, crime stories, and developing general knowledge pieces.

The most crucial step in Nirali’s reporting is rigorous fact-checking, and she relies on information from primary sources only for her news. In the absence of a primary source, Nirali double, and even triple-checks information from multiple sources before presenting them to her readers. Strictly anti-AI, she believes in giving credits wherever necessary.

Nirali’s favorite celebrities are Mark Ruffalo and Dolly Parton, and she admires them for their support of humanity and advocacy for what is right. An avid reader, Nirali can be found nose-deep in a new book when she is away from her keyboard. Nirali also loves to illustrate in her free time.

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Edited by Babylona Bora