A corrections officer involved in the nation's first nitrogen gas execution revealed that the inmate had normal blood oxygen levels for an unexpectedly long period before they suddenly dropped. The execution of Kenneth Smith, the first person put to death using nitrogen gas, has sparked controversy and legal battles in Alabama.
During the execution, the nitrogen gas reportedly flowed for at least 10 minutes, leading to conflicting interpretations of the events. The state's Attorney General's office suggested that Smith may have held his breath, causing the process to take longer than anticipated. However, attorneys for another inmate disputed this claim, pointing to potential issues with the gas mask.
