Hours after the nation’s first nitrogen gas execution in January last year, Alabama’s attorney general urged other states to develop it as a method for carrying out death sentences. Now, some states are following suit. Louisiana is scheduled to execute a man with nitrogen on March 18. Arkansas lawmakers are seeking to introduce nitrogen there after an eight-year pause in executions, the Associated Press reports. The use of nitrogen gas is one way for death penalty states to resume executions after being hampered by a shortage of lethal injection drugs. The proposed expansion comes amid continuing debate over its constitutionality and what four Alabama inmates experienced as they were put to death. “As Alabama has demonstrated, nitrogen hypoxia is a humane and effective method of execution,” Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said as he praised Louisiana’s plans to use it.
Critics said that states, in a rush to carry out death sentences, are turning to a method that increases suffering. “I would say it’s horrific and evil,” said the Rev. Jeff Hood, who witnessed the first nitrogen execution in Alabama. An inmate is forced to breathe pure nitrogen gas, depriving them of the oxygen needed to stay alive. In Alabama, the inmate is strapped to a gurney with a gas mask covering his face. Nitrogen is pumped into the mask and is kept flowing for five minutes after the person’s heart stops beating. The nitrogen gas flowed for about 18 minutes during Alabama's last execution on Feb. 6. Alabama has executed four people with nitrogen gas. The inmates appeared to shake and gasp, to varying degrees during their executions, according to media witnesses . A medical doctor who served as a spiritual adviser to Alabama inmate Alan Miller said that during his Sept. 24 execution by nitrogen gas, Miller grimaced and shook on the gurney. It was unclear when Miller lost consciousness.
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