.ON JANUARY 25TH Kenneth Eugene Smith ended up being the first individual anywhere to be put to death by nitrogen hypoxia. He was actually convicted in 1989 of murdering Elizabeth Sennett, the other half of a preacher coming from Alabama, on her husband's orders. The condition possessed first tried to execute him, by lethal treatment, in November 2022, yet bungled the technique. After that, Mr Johnson chose to become nailed to a cross through unfamiliar methods. His execution has actually induced indignation: Alabama professes nitrogen hypoxia is an easy, pain-free fatality but numerous health care pros differ. Some have likened it to torture. Why did Alabama authorise this untested procedure?