From Tribune staff reports
ATMORE — Alabama became the first state to use nitrogen hypoxia to execute a convicted killer on Thursday when officials carried out the death sentence imposed on Kenneth Eugene Smith at the William C. Holman Correctional Facility.
After the U.S. Supreme Court legally cleared the execution of Smith to move forward, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey told Corrections Commissioner John Hamm that she would not exercise her clemency powers in this case and directed him to proceed with Smith’s lawfully imposed death sentence for the 1988 capital murder of Sennett.
“On March 18, 1988, 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett’s life was brutally taken from her by Kenneth Eugene Smith,” Ivey said following the execution. “After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.”
Ivey defended the process and pointed out that Smith had chosen his method of execution. The Governor then turned her attention to the victim and the long wait for justice for her family.
“The execution was lawfully carried out by nitrogen hypoxia, the method previously requested by Mr. Smith as an alternative to lethal injection,” Ivey said. “At long last, Mr. Smith got what he asked for, and this case can finally be put to rest. I pray that Elizabeth Sennett’s family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.”
Smith’s time of death was 8:25 p.m.