State’s ‘slow and agonizing’ execution of Kenneth Smith using an untested method labeled as cruel by experts and advocates

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ca/post/14097254

Smith’s execution by “nitrogen hypoxia” took around 22 minutes, according to media witnesses, who were led into a viewing room at the William C Holman correctional facility in Atmore shortly before 8 pm local time.

After the nitrogen gas began flowing, Smith convulsed on the gurney for several minutes. The state had previously said the nitrogen gas would cause Smith to lose consciousness in seconds and die within minutes, according to the Associated Press.

“I’ve been to four previous executions and I’ve never seen a condemned inmate thrash in the way that Kenneth Smith reacted to the nitrogen gas,” Lee Hedgepeth, a journalist who witnessed the execution, told the BBC’s Newsday programme.

  • mozz@mbin.grits.dev
    31·
    11 months ago

    You said “convulsing for several minutes is suspect” and “This points to the possibility of pain.” Those are both affirmative statements I’d disagree with.

    I’ve looked over enough data at this point that I’m pretty firm in my conclusions; my top-level comments reflect my sources and thinking on it. You’re free to think whatever you like.

    • Yawweee877h444@lemmy.world
      12·
      11 months ago

      In that case you are wrong, and probably incompetent.

      Your sources say nothing about convulsing without pain. The convulsions are a data point that is enough to question if pain was involved. Full stop.

      • mozz@mbin.grits.dev
        3·
        11 months ago

        You’re [sic] confidence and opinion is irrelevant here.

        Edit: Honestly dude, even in jest I feel a little bad applying this statement even though you did to me first. I actually don’t think this - I was swayed enough by the “I was wrong” possibility to look into it for quite a while. If you were open to hearing why, I’d be happy to talk about it, but it sounds like you’re explicitly dismissive of the idea of listening to anything that challenges your existing views. So, good luck, all the best.

        • Yawweee877h444@lemmy.world
          12·
          11 months ago

          Ok.

          Show me some evidence that the convulsions aren’t a data point to actually question the efficacy of this example of execution being humane. It creates the question of whether there was pain or not. Additionally, the possibility that this example wasn’t performed correctly adds more data to support my questioning of your assertion that it was painless.

          I have not implied any objective statements as if I know what occurred definitively. I’m simply saying based on what happened and how it was carried out, I can reasonably question whether this was actually humane.

          • mozz@mbin.grits.dev
            3·
            11 months ago

            This might surprise you, but I’m not obligated to continue this conversation or convince you of anything. Like I say, I’ve laid out what I think and why in other comments.

            • Yawweee877h444@lemmy.world
              12·
              11 months ago

              You have absolutely layed out what you think. And I’ve proven very easily that you’re wrong and have very poor critical thinking skills. See ya.