Alabama is seeking to become the first state to execute a prisoner by making him breathe pure nitrogen.

The Alabama attorney general’s office on Friday asked the state Supreme Court to set an execution date for death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58. The court filing indicated Alabama plans to put him to death by nitrogen hypoxia, an execution method that is authorized in three states but has never been used.

Nitrogen hypoxia is caused by forcing the inmate to breathe only nitrogen, depriving them of oxygen and causing them to die. Nitrogen makes up 78% of the air inhaled by humans and is harmless when inhaled with oxygen. While proponents of the new method have theorized it would be painless, opponents have likened it to human experimentation.

  • solstice@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    I’m old school so I would just take a firing squad personally. Cigarette, blindfold, ratatatata drums, ready aim fire, the works.

    • MycoPete@sh.itjust.works
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      1 year ago

      So then PTSD treatments for the hired employees? Seems like a problem that doesn’t require lifelong mental scarring of innocent lives, but who am I to say?

      • Jax@sh.itjust.works
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        1 year ago

        You act like there aren’t plenty of bloodthirsty degenerates that would jump at the chance to kill someone for free.

        Not everyone cares about human life.

        • solstice@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          But won’t someone think of the poor executioners who voluntarily took a job carrying out state sanctioned murder?!? /s

          This whole thread is lunacy.

      • Emma_Gold_Man@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        1 year ago

        By “innocent lives” you’re talking about the people who just killed someone for money - the EXACT SAME THING this person is being killed for.

      • solstice@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        That’s why you get five guys to do the shooting so no one person is to blame. Give one of 'em a blank for good measure.

        • MycoPete@sh.itjust.works
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          1 year ago

          Oh well then they should feel completely innocent and no one will suffer from mental health issues. That’s why people in the military don’t have PTSD, because everyone knows if there’s at least 5 people there, you’re good.

          /S

          • solstice@lemmy.world
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            1 year ago

            As opposed to the person who pushes the button to turn on the nitrogen? Or the person who pushes the lethal injection plunger into your veins? Or the person who throws the switch on the electric chair?

            We’re talking about state sanctioned murder so idk what you could possibly propose that insulates everyone from trauma.

            All this because I said I’d take a firing squad by the way if it came down to it. My choice. Just back off dude seriously, idk why you’re trying to start a ruckus over this.

            • MycoPete@sh.itjust.works
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              1 year ago

              Lol oh right. I forgot this is only a place for your opinions. My bad.

              You’re the one advocating for state sanctioned murder, why would I have to defend it? Lol. There are plenty of options without additional lives being ruined.

              • solstice@lemmy.world
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                1 year ago

                At this point I’m convinced you are a bot designed to piss people off to drive engagement up, there’s no way anyone can be so intentionally thick and contrarian.

                • MycoPete@sh.itjust.works
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                  1 year ago

                  I know it’s hard to believe there are people that don’t believe in capital punishment, but not everyone is a robot out to get you lol

                  • solstice@lemmy.world
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                    1 year ago

                    All this because I flippantly said I’d take a firing squad! I find it easier to believe that you’re a bot rather than a human being who made the decision to pounce up my ass over an offhand comment. Take a xanax and chill the fuck out, seriously.

        • BURN@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          Yeah, that’s still not going to help.

          Firing squad is also incredibly inhumane and does not guarantee an instant and painless death.