“The Most Horrible Thing I’ve Ever Seen“: Alabama Uses Nitrogen Gas to Execute Prisoner

Support our work: Ohio lawmakers are taking the “next steps to kickstart” their execution chamber with experimental nitrogen gas, just days after Alabama used the same method for the first time in U.S. history, which the U.N. has warned is a form of torture. Alabama officials claim the execution was humane and effective, but we speak with Kenneth Smith’s spiritual adviser, Rev. Jeff Hood, who was there and says it was “the most horrible thing I’ve ever seen.” Transcript: Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream at Mondays to Fridays 8-9 a.m. ET. Subscribe to our Daily Email Digest: