Nitrogen execution in Alabama to continue

[DWalt]

The lawsuit over the use of nitrogen asphyxiation in Alabama has been settled, and the execution will proceed with some additional features. Seems that the condemned prisoner wants to go that way. Alabama, death row inmate settle lawsuit over nitrogen gas execution • Alabama Reflector
But Nitrogen manufacturers don’t like the idea.

 

[soFlaNative]

Seems that the condemned prisoner wants to go that way.

That's not what I read.
State failed on the first attempt via lethal injection of Alan Eugene Miller in 2022 then executed Kenneth Eugene Miller by nitrogen gas in January.

Confused yet?
From the article: "In the lawsuit, Miller’s attorneys argued that executing him by nitrogen gas violated his Eighth Amendment constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment and his rights to due process. He also claimed that the state was retaliating against him for speaking about the state’s first attempt to execute him."
I'm trying to figure out how this method is any more humane than zip tying a dry cleaning bag over the man's head.

 

[steelslaver]

I highly doubt that nitrogen execution is more inhuman than what any of the condemned's victims suffered. He murdered 3 men he worked with. There is absolutely no doubt he did it. As far as I am concerned they could zip tie a plastic bag over his head.

As far as manufacturing nitrogen goes it composes 78% of our atmosphere and oxygen 21%. and a first year college science student could make up a handy dandy separator.

I could buy an oxygen concentration for around $500, then capture the exhaust gas left after the O2 is filtered off and run it though a Harbor Freight compressor into a 30 gallon tank at 120 psi and have 36 cu ft. 30 such tanks could displace all the air in a 8x8x8 room twice. The normal home unit gets 5 liters of O2 and hour so it exhausts about 15 liters of mostly nitrogen an hour. 4 gallons or appox 1/2 a cu ft. to do that 8x8x8 room twice would take 2000hrs or 84 days.. so I suggest getting 12 of them and being able to do it once a week.


But, in the refineries we got it in semi tank loads of liquid. Refineries have pretty firm rules regarding it and confined spaces as people have entered them and simply collapsed and died. A big tanker of liquid would take care of most of the problems in a fair sized prison.

I personally believe that they should use standard velocity 22lr rounds right behind the ear on a lot of the prison population.

As far as cruel and inhuman goes, how is keeping these "people" in cages for years anything else.

Cry me a river

 

[Tom S.]

I'll donate the nitrogen from my tires if they need it....

 

[DWalt]

I have speculated about using Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) as an execution gas. In high concentrations (>1000 ppm), it induces unconsciousness almost instantly and is rapidly lethal. Most anyone with oilfield work experience has received training in the hazards of H2S.

Regarding Nitrogen for filling tires, there’s one born every minute.

I believe the founding fathers included the “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibition in the constitution in reference only to medieval torture methods such as drawing and quartering, stretching on the rack, pouring molten lead down throats, gouging out eyes, thumbscrews, burning at the stake, etc. Too bad they were not more precise in their definitions.

 

[Rudi]

Good.............

 

[Eric300]

Again, with people over-thinking stuff. A good piece of rope and a tree limb has worked great for many years......

 

[CH4]

I don't care much about the method; I only care about taking care of business.

 

[pmanton]

Years ago I worked in a paper and pulp mill. A painter accidently plugged the line to his paint hood into nitrogen rather than compressed air.

He simply keeled over never realizing what went wrong. Fortunately a nearby worker spotted this and rescued him.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Well, heck, what about the poor victims? I guess they don’t have a say in the execution method. Uh, that didn’t sound right. But there are victims’ rights groups/advocates, etc. Also, Fentanyl seems to work around here.

 

[steelslaver]

I like it. Furnish the condemned with an unlimited supply of Fentanyl that varied widely in its purity and they would execute themselves

 

[Mortimer94]

Dumb question here, how is it that can put down a dog humanly, but can't use the same method on people. Don't get me wrong, I'm not worried about convicted killers, just interested in the method.

 

[Dave_n]

I have speculated about using Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) as an execution gas. In high concentrations (>1000 ppm), it induces unconsciousness almost instantly and is rapidly lethal. Most anyone with oilfield work experience has received training in the hazards of H2S.

Regarding Nitrogen for filling tires, there’s one born every minute.

I believe the founding fathers included the “cruel and unusual punishment” prohibition in the constitution in reference only to medieval torture methods such as drawing and quartering, stretching on the rack, pouring molten lead down throats, gouging out eyes, thumbscrews, burning at the stake, etc. Too bad they were not more precise in their definitions.

I worked extensively with both liquid hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and H2S (hydrogen sulphide) as a grad student back in the early 1960s in the UK. We basically said "if I drop, simply turn on all of the exhaust fans and a "Viking Funeral is in the cards". Actually H2S is more lethal than HCN. That was close to 60 years ago and I have used quite a few "lethal chemicals since then". Dave_n

 

[woodsltc]

Again, with people over-thinking stuff. A good piece of rope and a tree limb has worked great for many years......

Have to agree with the over-thinking part............a blindfold and a pistol shot (most any caliber) behind the ear is quick, effective & I would think painless.

Don

 

[SMSgt]

The lawsuit over the use of nitrogen asphyxiation in Alabama has been settled, and the execution will proceed with some additional features. Seems that the condemned prisoner wants to go that way. Alabama, death row inmate settle lawsuit over nitrogen gas execution • Alabama Reflector
But Nitrogen manufacturers don’t like the idea.

Seeing as @80% of the air we breathe is nitrogen, what you mean is oxygen asphyxiation. Being a victim of bilateral pulmonary embolisms, I can attest that oxygen asphyxiation would not be a pleasant way to go. Been there, don't wish to repeat it.

 

[Kevin G]

Dumb question here, how is it that can put down a dog humanly, but can't use the same method on people. Don't get me wrong, I'm not worried about convicted killers, just interested in the method.

I too have wondered about this. I’ve been present when several of our pets have been euthanized and witnessed no distress, actually they’ve been rather peaceful processes.
Not suggesting the need to hold a convict’s paw when he/she leaves this world.
My confusion is why lethal injection executions seem to go so bad.
Kevin G

 

[mrcvs]

Dumb question here, how is it that can put down a dog humanly, but can't use the same method on people. Don't get me wrong, I'm not worried about convicted killers, just interested in the method.

It’s purely political.

Here’s everything you wanted to know about animal euthanasia…and then a whole lot more.

https://www.avma.org/sites/default/files/2020-02/Guidelines-on-Euthanasia-2020.pdf

I’ve seen a captive bolt to the head, a gunshot wound to the head. Quick and effective.

IV overdose of sodium pentobarbital after relaxation using propofol (too much of this latter drug killed Michael Jackson). Quick and painless using an IV catheter. If the issue is finding a vein, could use dexdomitor and hydromorphone to sedate, then do a heart stick using sodium pentobarbital.

I’ve seen pigs euthanized in a carbon dioxide chamber. Turkeys in a nitrous oxide chamber.

All quick, effective, and painless. These methods are claimed to be inadequate for human euthanasia because the powers that be want you to think they are inhumane.

Any veterinarian could be a more effective executioner than just about anyone else out there.

I haven’t euthanized a horse in awhile, but if the owner was concerned about cost, I used to use an old Colt revolver in .41 Long Colt that I loaded with black powder. It worked really well plus the poof of grey smoke was for the dramatic effect.

 

[steelslaver]

Speaking of executions and executioners, years ago while working in Idaho, I saw an ad in the paper for an experienced hangman.. This would have been around the mid 1980s. I had to wonder how many of those were around.

Montana last used it in 1943, but kept it on the books until 1996

The last hanging was in 1996, and there were only 2 others between then and 1965. There is however a ***, on death row in New Hampshire, who murdered a cop, that has the either or option of hanging or the needle.

 

[Hair Trigger]

A good piece of rope and a tree limb has worked great for many years......

I'm all for bringing back public hanging, like the scene in [I[Hang 'em High[/I] but without all the praying and singing. All these new methods only cater to the bleeding hearts who feel they shouldn't be cruel, but in actuality are prolonging the process of death. Hanging is quick and painless and effective, in more ways than one. You think watching someone dangle from a rope isn't a deterrent when you know you might be next if you don't live right?

Heck, the French had a pretty good thing with the guillotine.

 

[steelslaver]

While I am not opposed to hanging, due to all the variables it was often not quick and painless. The subjects neck muscles size and condition, their weight. how well the rope slid on itself and the length of the drop all have to be figured in.
To much and the head could separate, not enough and slow strangulation results.

But, hey, do stupid stuff, win stupid prizes.

A device that strapped on their head and delivered a 22lr behind each ear simultaneously would be cheap, efficient and quick

As far as public executions being a deterrent, during the time that it was present there was no shortages of murder an mayhem. But, the current catch and release policies are worse.

I firmly believe there should be a point system, similar to the 3 strikes laws, except when you hit the point limit you have proven you don't deserve to be alive and that is QUICKLY remedied.