Alabama court approves new method, use of nitrogen gas, in executions

Method has not been used before to carry out a death sentence but now is likely to be used in execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith

A divided Alabama supreme court said the state can execute an inmate with nitrogen gas, a method that has not previously been used carry out a death sentence.

The all-Republican court in a 6-2 decision Wednesday granted the state attorney general’s request for an execution warrant for Kenneth Eugene Smith. The order did not specify the execution method, but the Alabama attorney general indicated in filings with the court that it intends to use nitrogen to put Smith to death. The exact date of the execution will be set later by Kay Ivey, Alabama’s governor.