Death by nitrogen hypoxia — by breathing high concentrations of nitrogen, starving a person of oxygen until death — occurs from time to time accidentally.
Proponents of the nitrogen hypoxia method, also approved by Mississippi and Oklahoma but not yet used in those states, argue that nitrogen gas will quickly render the subject unconscious, with death ensuing within minutes.
Nitrogen gas asphyxiation was previously used to euthanize pets.
The group states in its 2020 guidelines that nitrogen gas “is unacceptable” for animals other than chickens and turkeys.
It is one thing to “botch” an execution, which is commonly understood to mean that an execution caused unnecessary agony or showed gross incompetence by the execution team.
Persons:
Smith
Organizations:
Pilots, American Veterinary Medical Association, Alabama
Locations:
Federal, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Alabama