An Alabama death row inmate was executed on Thursday night, becoming the first person in the US to be put to death by nitrogen gas , officials confirmed.
Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, died at the Holman Prison in Atmore after the Supreme Court refused to block the experimental execution.
Smith was made to inhale the toxic gas through a mask , which deprived his body of oxygen until he suffocated.
He was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m.
“Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backwards. … I’m leaving with love, peace and light,” Smith said in a final statement.
He flashed an “I love you sign” with his hands toward family members who were in the room as witnesses.
“Thank you for supporting me. Love, love all of you,” he told them.
The execution took about 22 minutes in total, during several minutes of which Smith appeared to remain conscious, according to the Associated Press.