Kenneth Eugene Smith executed by nitrogen hypoxia in Alabama, marking a first for the death penalty

"Smith's time of death was 8:25 p.m.

The execution took about 22 minutes, and Smith appeared to remain conscious for several minutes.

For at least two minutes, he appeared to shake and writhe on the gurney, sometimes pulling against the restraints. That was followed by several minutes of heavy breathing, until breathing was no longer

perceptible."

Witnesses saw Smith struggle as the gas began flowing into the mask that covered his entire face. He began writhing and thrashing between two and four minutes and was followed by around five minutes of heavy breathing.

At 8:07 p.m. a correctional officer leaned over the gurney and closely examined Smith's face before walking back to his position against the wall. Smith's time of death was 8:25 p.m., according to the state.

Witnesses saw Smith struggle as the gas began flowing into the mask that covered his entire face. He began writhing and thrashing between two and four minutes and was followed by around five minutes of heavy breathing.

At 8:07 p.m. a correctional officer leaned over the gurney and closely examined Smith's face before walking back to his position against the wall. Smith's time of death was 8:25 p.m., according to the state.

Unlike most victims of nitrogen poisoning, Smith knew what was happening. He naturally would have resisted. The plan all along was to continue administration of the gas for 15 minutes, regardless of Smith's vital signs.

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