A death row inmate in Louisiana was executed using nitrogen gas on Tuesday, marking a significant moment in the state’s history. Jessie Hoffman Jr. became only the fifth person in the United States to be put to death by this method. His execution followed a failed appeal to the Supreme Court.
Hoffman, 46, was convicted of murdering Mary "Molly" Elliott in 1996 when he was just 18 years old. This was the first execution in Louisiana in 15 years, as the state had not carried out a death sentence since 2010. Despite efforts from Hoffman’s lawyers to argue that nitrogen gas is a cruel and unusual punishment, state officials maintained that the method is painless.
The execution took place at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. Officials reported that the gas flowed for 19 minutes before he was pronounced dead at 6:50 PM local time. Witnesses noted that Hoffman appeared to convulse during the process, which raised concerns about the execution method. In the past, other inmates executed by nitrogen gas have exhibited similar involuntary movements, which officials attribute to oxygen deprivation.
Under Louisiana’s protocol, inmates are strapped to a gurney with a full-face respirator mask fitted tightly. Pure nitrogen is then pumped into the mask, causing the inmate to inhale the gas and depriving them of the oxygen necessary for life. The gas is administered for a minimum of 15 minutes or until the heart rate flatlines on an electrocardiogram.
Hoffman did not make a final statement before his execution. He was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and murder of his 12-year-old daughter, Courtney LeBlanc. Reports indicate that he had expressed a desire to be executed, stating he would commit a similar crime again if given the chance.
The use of nitrogen gas in executions is still relatively rare. Before Hoffman’s execution, it had only been used four times in the U.S., all in Alabama. Louisiana’s attorney general has indicated that more executions may follow, with at least four more inmates expected to be put to death this year.
This case highlights ongoing debates about the death penalty and the methods used in executions. Advocates for death row inmates argue that nitrogen gas is not a humane alternative, while state officials defend its use as a more humane option compared to lethal injection.