ATMORE, Ala. — After more than two decades on death row, contract killer and Alabama native Kenneth Smith was executed by nitrogen hypoxia on Thursday. This marks the first time this method has been used for an execution, a move that has been deemed “experimental” by Smith’s attorneys and recently criticized by the United Nations.
In 1988, Charles Sennett, a Church of Christ minister from Colbert County, Alabama, orchestrated the murder of his wife, Elizabeth Dorlene Sennett. The motive behind the murder was revealed to be Sennett’s significant debt, a substantial life insurance policy on his wife, and an extramarital affair. He recruited individuals to carry out the murder, leading to the tragic death of Elizabeth Sennett.
Kenneth Eugene Smith, along with two others, was involved in the murder and was subsequently indicted for capital murder. Although other perpetrators were convicted and sentenced, Smith’s legal journey took a different course, involving multiple trials and appeals over the years.
After more than two decades spent on death row, Smith was initially scheduled to be executed in November 2020. However, due to complications during the planned lethal injection, the execution was called off. This set the stage for Smith to become the first U.S. inmate to be executed using nitrogen hypoxia in January 2021.
Nitrogen hypoxia is a proposed method of execution that involves depriving the inmate of oxygen by having them breathe only nitrogen. The process, as detailed in court filings, includes strapping the inmate to a gurney, placing a mask over their face, and administering nitrogen gas for a specific duration to induce unconsciousness and cause death.
During the execution, Smith was joined by an unnamed correctional officer and a Catholic priest, Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, who expressed objections to the chosen method of execution due to the limitations it placed on his ability to provide spiritual support to Smith in his final moments.
Smith’s execution lasted approximately 22 minutes, during which he appeared to be conscious for several minutes before succumbing to the effects of nitrogen hypoxia. In a final statement, Smith expressed his sentiments and appreciation to his family members present as witnesses.
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey described the execution as justice for the murder-for-hire killing that had haunted the victim’s family for over 30 years. This development brings a sense of closure to a long-standing and tragic chapter for the Sennett family.