Alabama is preparing to execute its second inmate using nitrogen gas, a relatively new and controversial method of capital punishment, officials confirmed on 26 September 2024. The use of nitrogen hypoxia, which induces death by replacing oxygen in the bloodstream with nitrogen, has sparked widespread ethical debates across the United States.
This execution method, first authorized by Alabama in 2018, is viewed by proponents as a more humane alternative to lethal injection, which has faced scrutiny due to botched executions in the past. However, critics argue that nitrogen hypoxia is an untested and risky procedure that could cause suffering if not properly administered.
Civil rights groups have condemned the move, calling for a moratorium on executions in Alabama. The case has drawn national attention, as the US continues to grapple with the future of capital punishment, with growing pressure to abolish it entirely. As the debate intensifies, Alabama’s use of nitrogen gas could set a controversial precedent for other states considering alternative execution methods.
