Alabama AG calls first nitrogen gas execution 'textbook,' but
witnesses say inmate thrashed in final moments
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall on Friday vowed to continue
using nitrogen gas in executions and offered to assist other states
interested in the novel method, while fending off concerns that an
inmate executed the night before did not become unconscious as quickly
as expected and thrashed on the gurney, according to witnesses.
...
...
Media witnesses to Thursday's execution said Smith was conscious for
several minutes into the execution and then appeared to shake and
writhe on the gurney for two minutes. They said that was followed by
several minutes of deep breaths until his breathing slowed and it was
no longer perceptible.
The state had said in court filings that "the experts agree that
nitrogen hypoxia is painless because it causes unconsciousness in
seconds," and death within minutes.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/alabama-ag-calls-first-nitrogen-gas-execution-textbook-witnesses-say-i-rcna135810
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
* Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)