Nitrogen Gas Execution Raises Ethical Concerns for Kenneth Eugene Smith on Death Row

Kenneth Eugene Smith is on death row and will be executed by nitrogen hypoxia, the first new method since 1982.
Nitrogen makes up around 80% of air we breathe but it's not deadly until separated from oxygen. The planned execution would separate him from oxygen to kill him.
Smith's spiritual adviser was asked to sign a waiver before entering the execution room, raising concerns about potential pain and suffering for Smith.
The Supreme Court has rejected an Alabama death row inmate's lethal gas claim but there may be some level of support within the legal system.
The use of nitrogen gas as a method of execution raises ethical concerns.
Nitrogen Gas Execution Raises Ethical Concerns for Kenneth Eugene Smith on Death Row

The use of nitrogen gas as a method of execution has been met with controversy and ethical concerns. The planned execution by nitrogen hypoxia on death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith raises questions about the ethics of using an untried method to execute someone who has already gone through one previous attempt. Nitrogen makes up around 80% of the air we breathe, but it is not deadly until separated from oxygen. The planned execution would be the first new method of execution since 1982 when lethal injection was introduced. Smith's spiritual adviser was even asked to sign a waiver before entering the execution room. This raises concerns about whether or not this method will cause intense pain and suffering for Smith, as well as potential issues with administering it through a mask that could induce vomiting and choking on his own vomit. The Supreme Court has rejected an Alabama death row inmate's lethal gas claim, but the brief court order simply noted that Smith's application was denied without any justices publicly dissenting. This suggests that there may be some level of support for this method within the legal system. However, it is important to note that execution by nitrogen gas has a brutal 100-year history and every gas execution involved torture in some form or another.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • Is it safe and humane to use nitrogen gas as a method of execution?
  • Will this new method cause intense pain and suffering for Kenneth Eugene Smith?

Sources

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

Supreme Court rejects Alabama death row inmate's lethal gas claim

NBC News Digital Wednesday, 24 January 2024 21:24
  • Unique Points
    • Alabama was set to carry out the first-ever execution by nitrogen hypoxia on death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith on Thursday.
    • The planned execution raises heated questions about the ethics of using a new method to execute Smith, who has been through one previous execution attempt.
  • Accuracy
    • Kenneth Smith was sentenced to death for murdering Elizabeth Sennett in 1988.
    • Smith objected to being executed by nitrogen gas because of the potential for the state to botch the procedure and alleged it would violate his right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment.
    • The Supreme Court rejected Smith's last-minute request for a stay of execution and noted that his application was denied. No justices publicly dissented.
    • Smith has a separate claim pending in federal court that could yet lead to the execution being called off.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that Kenneth Smith objected to being executed by nitrogen gas because of potential for the state to botch the procedure and violate his right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. However, this claim is not supported by any evidence presented in the article. Secondly, it is stated that Kenneth Smith has a separate claim pending in federal court that could yet lead to the execution being called off. This statement implies that there are grounds for an appeal based on new information or evidence which contradicts previous decisions made against him. However, no such information or evidence is presented in this article and therefore it cannot be confirmed whether these claims have any merit.
    • It is stated that Kenneth Smith has a separate claim pending in federal court that could yet lead to the execution being called off. This statement implies that there are grounds for an appeal based on new information or evidence which contradicts previous decisions made against him. However, no such information or evidence is presented in this article and therefore it cannot be confirmed whether these claims have any merit.
    • The author states that Kenneth Smith objected to being executed by nitrogen gas because of potential for the state to botch the procedure and violate his right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment. However, this claim is not supported by any evidence presented in the article.
  • Fallacies (85%)
    The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by citing the Supreme Court's rejection of Smith's claim for a stay of execution without providing any evidence or reasoning behind their decision. Additionally, the author presents information about previous executions using lethal gas as if it is relevant to Smith's case, committing a fallacy known as an ad hominem attack. The article also contains inflammatory rhetoric by describing nitrogen hypoxia as
    • Bias (85%)
      The article contains a statement from the author that implies bias towards the use of nitrogen gas as an execution method. The author states that Kenneth Smith objected to being executed by nitrogen hypoxia because it could violate his right to be free of cruel and unusual punishment under the Eighth Amendment, but also notes that Smith had previously said he would prefer this method over lethal injection. This statement suggests a potential conflict of interest or bias on behalf of the author towards using nitrogen gas as an execution method.
      • The article contains a statement from the author that implies bias towards the use of nitrogen gas as an execution method.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      77%

      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

      Nitrogen hypoxia: Why Alabama's execution of Kenneth Smith stirs ethical controversy.

      USA Today Tuesday, 23 January 2024 00:00
      • Unique Points
        • Nitrogen hypoxia is a form of execution in which an inmate is deprived of oxygen until they breathe only nitrogen, causing asphyxiation. Nitrogen makes up about 80% of the air we breathe and it's not deadly until it is separated from oxygen.
        • The planned execution raises heated questions about the ethics of using a new method to execute Smith, who has been through one previous execution attempt.
        • If nitrogen hypoxia works, Smith could suffer an intensely painful death. The nitrogen gas could induce a seizure in Smith and if administered through a mask it could cause him to vomit and choke on his own vomit.
        • The Rev. Jeff Hood, Smith's spiritual adviser was even asked to sign a waiver before entering the execution room.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (80%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author claims that nitrogen hypoxia is a more humane method of execution than lethal injection when there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Secondly, the author quotes an expert who states that nitrogen gas under certain circumstances can cause death but does not provide any information on what those conditions are or how it works. This lacks clarity and makes the statement misleading. Thirdly, the article presents a one-sided view of nitrogen hypoxia as a method of execution without providing any counterarguments or alternative perspectives.
        • The expert quoted in the article states that nitrogen gas under certain circumstances can cause death but does not provide any information on what those conditions are or how it works. This lacks clarity and makes the statement misleading.
        • The author claims that nitrogen hypoxia is a more humane method of execution than lethal injection but provides no scientific evidence to support this claim. This statement is misleading and lacks clarity.
      • Fallacies (80%)
        The article discusses the planned execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith by nitrogen hypoxia. The author raises ethical questions about the use of this method and its potential for causing intense pain or prolonged death. The article also mentions previous failed executions in Alabama due to difficulties finding veins, which may have contributed to a review of the state's execution system.
        • The planned execution by nitrogen hypoxia is the first new method of execution since 1982.
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
        The article discusses the execution of Kenneth Smith in Alabama and raises ethical concerns about nitrogen hypoxia. The author has a personal relationship with Joel Zivot, who is quoted extensively in the article. Additionally, there are no disclosures regarding any conflicts of interest that may exist.
        • The article quotes Joel Zivot extensively throughout discussing his research on nitrogen hypoxia and its effects on executions.
        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
          None Found At Time Of Publication

        74%

        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

        Execution by gas has a brutal 100-year history. Now it’s back.

        The Fixing Site: A Summary of the Article. Randy Dotinga Wednesday, 24 January 2024 14:00
        • Unique Points
          None Found At Time Of Publication
        • Accuracy
          • The execution by gas has a 100-year history. The first gas chamber execution was in Carson City, Nevada on February 24th, 1924.
          • George Jon was the young Chinese immigrant who was executed by cyanide acid vaporized through an electric heater in a barbershop building at the Nevada State Prison.
        • Deception (90%)
          The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it claims that the gas chamber was a humane method of execution when there are numerous examples of prisoners suffering horribly during executions by this method. Secondly, the article states that cyanide acid vaporized and executed Gee Jon but most of the acid fell as liquid to the floor which means he did not die from inhaling cyanide gas. Thirdly, it claims that Smith will be killed by nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday when there is no evidence presented to support this claim.
          • The article claims that Smith will be killed by nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday but there is no evidence presented to support this claim.
          • The article states that cyanide acid vaporized and executed Gee Jon but most of the acid fell as liquid to the floor which means he did not die from inhaling cyanide gas. This statement is false because it implies that Gee died instantly or easily when in fact there are numerous examples of prisoners suffering horribly during executions by this method.
        • Fallacies (85%)
          The article by Randy Dotinga contains several logical fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when the author cites Deborah W. Denno, a professor at Fordham Law School in New York and Austin D. Sarat, chair of political science at Amherst College in Massachusetts as experts on execution methods and the death penalty without providing any counter-evidence or alternative perspectives.
          • Bias (85%)
            The article discusses the history of gas chamber executions in America and how they have been criticized for being cruel and unreliable. The author also mentions that there were errors during some gas chamber executions, such as a Mississippi prisoner convulsing violently for eight minutes while he was supposed to be unconscious. Additionally, the article discusses how lethal injection has become more popular than gas chambers due to its perceived cleanliness and efficiency.
            • The author mentions that there were errors during some gas chamber executions, such as a Mississippi prisoner convulsing violently for eight minutes while he was supposed to be unconscious.
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
              The article discusses the history of execution by gas and its use in Nevada's death penalty law. The author has a personal relationship with Gee Jon, who was executed by gas in 2014.
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of execution by gas as they are reporting on the success of Nevada's first gas-chamber execution in 2014 and also mentioning that every gas execution involved torture. The article does not disclose any financial ties or personal relationships with sources related to this topic.

                74%

                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 plans the first nitrogen gas execution this week in largely secret process experts say raises concerns about cruelty

                CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Dakin Andone Tuesday, 23 January 2024 11:55
                • Unique Points
                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                • Accuracy
                  • Alabama plans to carry out the first known execution by nitrogen gas this week.
                  • Little is known about how the method, nitrogen hypoxia, will be carried out during a 30-hour execution window Thursday into Friday.
                  • The state's published protocol bears redactions that experts say shield key details from public scrutiny.
                • Deception (80%)
                  The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the state of Alabama plans to execute Kenneth Smith by nitrogen gas which has not been used before and little is known about how it will be carried out during a 30-hour execution window. Secondly, the published protocol bears redactions that experts say shield key details from public scrutiny. Thirdly, there are concerns raised about potential complications from the nitrogen gas procedure leading to excessive pain or even torture for inmates who have previously asked to be put to death this way.
                  • There are concerns raised about potential complications from the nitrogen gas procedure leading to excessive pain or even torture for inmates who have previously asked to be put to death this way.
                  • The published protocol bears redactions that experts say shield key details from public scrutiny.
                  • The state of Alabama plans to execute Kenneth Smith by nitrogen gas which has not been used before and little is known about how it will be carried out during a 30-hour execution window.
                • Fallacies (75%)
                  The article contains several fallacies. The first is an appeal to authority when it states that the Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) is critical of how capital punishment is administered in the United States but does not take a stance on it. This statement implies that DPIC's opinion should be taken as fact, which is not accurate. The second fallacy found in this article is inflammatory rhetoric when it states that potential complications from nitrogen gas procedure could lead to excessive pain or even torture for the inmate who previously asked to be put to death in this way. This statement exaggerates the potential harm and creates a sense of urgency without providing any evidence.
                  • The Death Penalty Information Center (DPIC) is critical of how capital punishment is administered in the United States but does not take a stance on it.
                • Bias (85%)
                  The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses the phrase 'largely secret process' to suggest that there is something sinister about the execution method being kept confidential from public scrutiny. This implies a negative judgment on transparency in government processes which could be seen as an attack on democratic values.
                  • The state, in court records, indicated the redactions were made to maintain security.
                  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                    The author has a conflict of interest on the topic of nitrogen gas execution as they are reporting on Kenneth Smith's upcoming execution. The article does not disclose any other conflicts of interest.