Alabama inmate opposes being 'test subject' for new nitrogen execution method
apnews.com
Attorneys for an inmate are asking the Alabama Supreme Court to reject the state's request to set an execution date for him using the new execution method of nitrogen hypoxia.

An Alabama inmate would be the test subject for the “experimental” execution method of nitrogen hypoxia, his lawyers argued, as they asked judges to deny the state’s request to carry out his death sentence using the new method.

In a Friday court filing, attorneys for Kenneth Eugene Smith asked the Alabama Supreme Court to reject the state attorney general’s request to set an execution date for Smith using the proposed new execution method. Nitrogen gas is authorized as an execution method in three states but it has never been used to put an inmate to death.

Smith’s attorneys argued the state has disclosed little information about how nitrogen executions would work, releasing only a redacted copy of the proposed protocol.

  • gears@sh.itjust.works
    351·
    1 year ago

    This is interesting, and I personally feel he is fighting it only because it buys him more time. In a different article (linked in this one), where they announce Alabama’s plan to use nitrogen it says:

    Smith, in seeking to block the state’s second attempt to execute him by lethal injection, had argued that nitrogen should be available.

    So he literally asked to use nitrogen, they said “ok” and now’s he’s saying “how dare you try to use me as a guinea pig”

    • FlowVoid@midwest.socialEnglish
      71·
      1 year ago

      “I think something should be available” is not the same as “I volunteer to test it out”.

      For example, I think ejection seats should be available on all fighter jets.

      • st0p_the_q_tip@sh.itjust.works
        3·
        1 year ago

        The correct analogy would be you refusing to get out of a fighter jet except via ejection seats, them refusing to be ejected lol. This guy apparently wasn’t saying it should be available in general but that it should be an option for him.

        That said, I am in principle against executions.

        • FlowVoid@midwest.socialEnglish
          2·
          1 year ago

          This guy is apparently saying that he wants to know how they are planning to use nitrogen gas, and the state is refusing to tell him.

          So the correct analogy would be you refusing to get out of a fighter jet except via ejection seats. Then someone says, “Okay you can get out via ‘ejection seats’, happy now?”. Then you say, “Hey what’s up with the air quotes around ‘ejection seats’? What exactly are you planning anyway? How does this ejection seat work?”. Then they say, “Don’t you worry about the details buddy. You’ll be ‘ejected’ from your ‘seat’, LOL! Now shut up and get in the plane”.