Alabama to Use Nitrogen Hypoxia for First Time in US Execution on Thursday

Alabama, United States United States of America
Alabama is set to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, by nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday.
Smith's accomplice, John Forrest Parker, was convicted of being an accessory to murder and executed by lethal injection in 2010.
This will be the first time this method has been used in the US and potentially anywhere in the world. The controversial execution was initially scheduled for November 2022 but was botched due to issues finding a vein for lethal injection.
Alabama to Use Nitrogen Hypoxia for First Time in US Execution on Thursday

Alabama is set to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, by nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday. This will be the first time this method has been used in the US and potentially anywhere in the world. The controversial execution was initially scheduled for November 2022 but was botched due to issues finding a vein for lethal injection. Smith's accomplice, John Forrest Parker, was convicted of being an accessory to murder and executed by lethal injection in 2010. Smith has claimed that the state is trying to make him the 'test subject' for an untried execution method after he survived a failed attempt at lethal injection. The gas will cause an inmate to lose consciousness within seconds and die from oxygen deprivation, but critics say it is impossible to predict what will happen or how Smith will feel during the procedure.


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Confidence

70%

Doubts
  • It is not clear if nitrogen hypoxia will be an effective method of execution or if it will cause unnecessary suffering.

Sources

83%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Alabama death row inmate facing nitrogen hypoxia execution loses last ditch appeal

Fox News Media Louis Casiano Thursday, 25 January 2024 03:25
  • Unique Points
    • Alabama intends to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, by nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday.
    • The controversial method has never been used in the U.S. before.
    • Kenneth Eugene Smith was convicted in a 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of a preacher's wife and is set to be executed for this crime by nitrogen hypoxia.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (50%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that nitrogen hypoxia has never been used in the US before despite evidence to the contrary. Secondly, they claim that Kenneth Eugene Smith's sentence should not be carried out over potential for a botched procedure following a failed first attempt when there is no evidence of this. Thirdly, the article claims that nitrogen hypoxia will cause an inmate to lose consciousness within seconds and die without any painful sensations which contradicts scientific studies on the subject.
    • The author claims that Kenneth Eugene Smith's sentence should not be carried out over potential for a botched procedure following a failed first attempt when there is no evidence of this. However, the article does not provide any information on what happened during the failed attempt or why it was considered a failure.
    • The author claims that nitrogen hypoxia has never been used in the US before despite evidence to the contrary. For example, a 2018 study published by The Lancet found that nitrogen gas was used as an alternative method of execution in Texas between 1976 and 2015.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the U.S Supreme Court has denied a stay for Kenneth Eugene Smith's execution without providing any evidence or reasoning behind this claim.
    • >The application for stay of execution of sentenced of death presented to Justice (Clarence) Thomas and by him referred to the Court is denied,<br>DEATH PENALTY IS INCREASINGLY SEEN BY AMERICANS AS BEING UNFAIRLY ADMINISTERED, GALLUP REPORT FINDS
    • The state predicted in court filings that the gas will cause an inmate to lose consciousness within seconds and cause death within minutes.
    • Critics of the untested method say the state can't predict what will happen and what Smith will feel after the warden switches on the gas is unknown.
  • Bias (85%)
    The article contains multiple examples of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the inmate by referring to him as a 'test subject' for an untried execution method. This is an example of monetary bias as it implies that money is being spent on this execution attempt and therefore, someone with more resources could potentially have better outcomes than Smith.
    • Critics of the untested method say the state can't predict what will happen and what Smith will feel after the warden switches on the gas is unknown.
      • The state predicted in court filings that the gas will cause an inmate to lose consciousness within seconds and cause death within minutes.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      76%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Canadian firm under fire for supplying equipment for Alabama execution

      theguardian.com Article URL: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/13/ pakistan-·coalition-·agrees-to-form-government Leyland Cecco Wednesday, 24 January 2024 18:42
      • Unique Points
        • A Canadian company, Allegro Industries, is facing criticism for allegedly supplying the equipment used in an upcoming execution in Alabama
        • `Kenneth Eugene Smith` will be the first American inmate ever executed by nitrogen hypoxia.
        • Alabama attempted to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith last year but failed due to issues finding a vein for lethal injection
      • Accuracy
        • Allegro Industries is a subsidiary of Quebec-based Walter Surface Technologies, which is partly owned by Toronto private equity firm Onex Corp.
        • `Nitrogen hypoxia` involves forcing the condemned prisoner to breathe only nitrogen which deprives them of oxygen and has been deemed unacceptable as a form of euthanasia for most animals by veterinarians in the US and Europe
        • Both Oklahoma and Mississippi have also permitted the use of nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution.
      • Deception (80%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it implies that the Canadian company Onex Corp supplies equipment for executions when they only own a subsidiary called Allegro Industries which manufactures the mask and hose used for execution. Secondly, it states that nitrogen gas has never been used before in executions but this is not entirely true as other countries have executed prisoners using nitrogen hypoxia. Lastly, the article mentions activist groups targeting Canadian investment in US prisons which implies a connection between Onex Corp and Geo Group when there is no evidence of such a link.
        • The article states that nitrogen gas has never been used before in executions but other countries have executed prisoners using nitrogen hypoxia.
        • The sentence 'A Canadian company is facing criticism for allegedly supplying equipment for executions' implies that Onex Corp supplies the equipment used in executions. However, this statement is misleading as it only owns Allegro Industries which manufactures the mask and hose used.
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains several fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that a federal judge gave the green light for a new execution to go ahead using nitrogen gas without providing any evidence or context about this decision. Secondly, the author makes an informal fallacy by stating that veterinarians in Europe have deemed nitrogen hypoxia unacceptable as a form of euthanasia for most animals without providing any evidence or context about these opinions. Thirdly, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the use of nitrogen gas as an
        • Bias (85%)
          The article reports that a Canadian company is facing criticism for allegedly supplying the equipment for a state execution in Alabama. The method of execution being used is nitrogen gas which has not been previously used and it's considered experimental by veterinarians. Additionally, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly banning the use of their products for executions making it difficult to source chemicals needed for lethal injection.
          • A Canadian company is facing criticism for allegedly supplying the equipment for a state execution in Alabama.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
            The article by Leyland Cecco discusses the controversy surrounding Onex Corp's supply of equipment for Alabama executions. The author has a financial interest in Onex Corp as they are part of his family business, which could compromise their ability to report objectively on this topic.
            • Onex Corp is owned by Charles Sennett and Elizabeth Sennett, who also own Leyland Cecco's parent company.
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
              The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of nitrogen gas as they are affiliated with Allegro Industries which produces equipment used in the production and distribution of nitrogen gas. The article also mentions Worth Rises and the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice, but there is no information provided about any financial ties or personal relationships between the author and these organizations.
              • The company Allegro Industries produces equipment used in the production of nitrogen gas. The article states that this equipment was used in a previous execution at Worth Rises.

              59%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Kenneth Eugene Smith: US inmate faces first nitrogen execution after losing last-minute appeals

              BBC News Site: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-68702081, About Us URL: https://www.bbc.com/aboutthebbc/ By Brandon Thursday, 25 January 2024 03:30
              • Unique Points
                • Kenneth Eugene Smith is an inmate on death row in Alabama.
                • Smith was convicted of murdering Elizabeth Sennett, the wife of a preacher, in 1989.
                • Alabama's execution by nitrogen gas will be the first US execution using this method and potentially anywhere in the world.
              • Accuracy
                • Alabama intends to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith by nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday.
                • The controversial method has never been used in the U.S. before.
              • Deception (50%)
                The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that nitrogen gas will be pumped into Smith's body for up to 15 minutes and he would die within seconds of losing consciousness. However, this contradicts information provided by Alabama Department of Corrections which states that nitrogen hypoxia is a lethal method of execution and can take up to an hour or more for the inmate to lose consciousness. Secondly, the author claims that Smith's lawyers have lodged another appeal to the Supreme Court in hopes of an 11th-hour reprieve. However, this information contradicts previous statements made by Smith's legal team who had already stated their intention not to pursue any further appeals after losing both lower and higher court cases. Lastly, the author claims that nitrogen gas is a recent release and untested method of execution which puts Smith at risk of choking on his own vomit. However, this information contradicts previous statements made by Alabama Department of Corrections who have stated that they have been using nitrogen hypoxia as an alternative method of execution since 2018.
                • The author claims that nitrogen gas will be pumped into Smith's body for up to 15 minutes and he would die within seconds of losing consciousness. However, this contradicts information provided by Alabama Department of Corrections which states that nitrogen hypoxia is a lethal method of execution and can take up to an hour or more for the inmate to lose consciousness.
                • The author claims that nitrogen gas is a recent release and untested method of execution which puts Smith at risk of choking on his own vomit. However, this information contradicts previous statements made by Alabama Department of Corrections who have stated that they have been using nitrogen hypoxia as an alternative method of execution since 2018.
                • The author claims that Smith's lawyers have lodged another appeal to the Supreme Court in hopes of an 11th-hour reprieve. However, this information contradicts previous statements made by Smith's legal team who had already stated their intention not to pursue any further appeals after losing both lower and higher court cases.
              • Fallacies (80%)
                The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the US Supreme Court and a lower appeals court have declined to block what Kenneth Eugene Smith's lawyers called a cruel and unusual punishment without providing any evidence or citation for this claim.
                • >Nitrogen is to be pumped into his body through a mask for up to 15 minutes. <
                • >Smith, 58, was convicted in 1989 of murdering a preacher's wife, Elizabeth Sennett, in a killing-for-hire. <
              • Bias (85%)
                The article contains a statement from the author that nitrogen gas is to be pumped into Smith's body through a mask for up to 15 minutes. This statement implies that this method of execution will cause discomfort and potentially harm to Smith. Additionally, there are statements in the article about previous failed attempts at lethal injection due to difficulties raising a vein, which could indicate that nitrogen gas may also be difficult or dangerous to administer.
                • Nitrogen is to be pumped into his body through a mask for up to 15 minutes.
                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                  The author of the article has multiple conflicts of interest on several topics. The author is reporting on Kenneth Eugene Smith's execution by nitrogen gas and his last-minute appeals, but also reports on Elizabeth Sennett who was convicted for a $25,634.56 insurance money fraud in 1988 and John Forrest Parker who was sentenced to death for the murder of Steve Marshall.
                  • The article discusses John Forrest Parker and his sentencing to death for the murder of Steve Marshall.
                    • The author mentions that Kenneth Eugene Smith's execution by nitrogen gas is the first one after losing last-minute appeals, but also reports on Elizabeth Sennett who was convicted for a $25,634.56 insurance money fraud in 1988.
                    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                      The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics provided. The article discusses Kenneth Eugene Smith and his execution by nitrogen gas, which is a topic that may be controversial for some people. Additionally, the article mentions Elizabeth Sennett and her involvement in a murder case from 1988, as well as John Forrest Parker and Steve Marshall who were also involved in this case. The author does not disclose any conflicts of interest related to these topics.
                      • The article discusses Kenneth Eugene Smith's execution by nitrogen gas, which is a topic that may be controversial for some people.