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The execution will be the first attempt to use a new execution method since the 1982 introduction of lethal injection, now the most common execution method in the United States. After he is given a chance to make a final statement, the warden, from another room, will activate the nitrogen gas. Three states — Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma — have authorized nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method, but no state has attempted to use the untested method until now. They stabbed her — multiple times.”The state has predicted the nitrogen gas will cause unconsciousness within seconds and death within minutes. Much of what is known about death by nitrogen gas comes from industrial accidents or suicide attempts.

Persons: Kenneth Eugene Smith, Smith, “, ”, Jeff Hood, Elizabeth Sennett, Sennett, gurney, Steve Marshall, Liz Sennett, Smith’s, ” Marshall, Charles Sennett Jr, Smith “, Mama, Robin M, Maher, Philip Nitschke, Nitschke, ” Nitschke, Robert Grass, Charles Sennett, John Forrest Parker Organizations: United States, Supreme, U.S, Prosecutors, WAAY, Circuit, Alabama, Associated Press, Veterinary Medical Association, United Nations Human Rights Locations: MONTGOMERY, Ala, Alabama, United, United States, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Colbert County

☆ Kenneth Smith: US Supreme Court declines to halt execution of Alabama inmate set to be the first to die by nitrogen gas
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Dakin Andone | Devan Cole | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Smith is due to be executed during a 30-hour window starting Thursday for his part in a 1988 murder for hire. The state 14 months ago aborted an effort to execute him by lethal injection because officials could not set an intravenous line before the execution warrant expired. Smith and his attorneys last week asked the Supreme Court to pause the execution so they could argue trying to execute Smith a second time would amount to cruel and unusual punishment, violating the Eighth and 14th amendments. In response, the state said the evidence Smith had been vomiting was largely from his own self-reporting. Smith’s execution would mark only the second time in US history that a state would attempt to execute an inmate a second time after initially failing, they said.

Persons: Kenneth Smith, Smith, Smith “, Smith’s, “, Mr, ”, Elizabeth Sennett, ” “, Dr, Joel Zivot, ” Smith, Sennett, Charles Sennett, he’d Organizations: CNN, Circuit, Appeals, of Corrections, Supreme, United Nations, UN, Human, Emory University Locations: Alabama, Oklahoma, Mississippi, ” Alabama

The Alabama attorney general's office told federal appeals court judges last week that nitrogen hypoxia is "the most painless and humane method of execution known to man." The execution would be the first attempt to use a new method since lethal injection was introduced in 1982. Three states — Alabama, Mississippi and Oklahoma — have authorized nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method. The Alabama attorney general's office noted that Smith, when previously fighting lethal injection, had suggested nitrogen as an alternative execution method. Courts require inmates challenging their execution method to suggest an alternative method.

Persons: Kenneth Eugene Smith, gurney, general's, Smith, Dr, Jeffrey Keller, ” Keller, Keller, Joel Zivot, Zivot, Prosecutors, Elizabeth Sennett, Sennett, John Forrest Parker, Charles Sennett Jr, Smith “, Mama, ”, Robin M, Maher, Kenny, Jeff Hood, “, Shane Isner, Kay Ivey, Ivey Organizations: American College of Correctional Physicians, Veterinary Medical Association, United Nations Human Rights, ”, U.S . Chemical Safety, Hazard Investigation, WAAY, Alabama, Christian Church, Capitol, Alabama Gov, Associated Press, Department of Corrections Locations: MONTGOMERY, Ala, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, U.S

☆ Donald Trump gag order imposed by judge: Trump 'does not have the right to say and do exactly what he pleases,' Judge Chutkan says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Hannah Rabinowitz Katelyn Polantz | Holmes Lybrand | Hannah Rabinowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses,” Judge Tanya Chutkan said. Trump will appeal Chutkan’s order, he said in a post on his social media website Truth Social. Following the two federal indictments against the former president, Trump has lashed out against prosecutors, potential witnesses and the judge overseeing the election subversion case in Washington. “When you start to use a word like ‘thug’ to describe a prosecutor doing their job, that wouldn’t be allowed by any other criminal defendant,” Chutkan said. Limited gag order issued in NY fraud trialIf Chutkan does decide to place restrictions on what the former president can say, she won’t be the first judge to do so.

Persons: Donald Trump, Jack, Trump, ”, Tanya Chutkan, ” “, Chutkan, “, WITCH HUNT, Jack Smith’s, Mr, ” Chutkan, John Lauro, Joe Biden, Lauro, Judge ”, Smith, ’, Smith Chutkan, ” Lauro, Molly Gaston, ” Gaston, Mike Pence, Bill Barr –, won’t, Arthur Engoron, Chuck Schumer’s, ” Engoron Organizations: CNN, Justice Department, Prosecutors, Trump Locations: Washington, York

“This is not about whether I like the language Mr. Trump uses,” U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan said in announcing the decision. But Molly Gaston, who argued for the prosecution, underscored that the Justice Department isn’t seeking to prevent Trump from campaigning. Notably, the judge’s order deals Trump one of the first major consequences he’ll have to reckon with in relation to his ongoing trials. It remains to be seen how the order will impact his daily social media presence and campaigning tactics. Trump did not immediately respond directly to Chutkan’s order, but a spokesman called it the work of “weaponized and targeted law enforcement.”

Persons: Donald Trump, Biden, –, Trump, Tanya Chutkan, Chutkan, “, ” Chutkan, Jack Smith, ” Trump, John Lauro, Molly Gaston, Justice Department isn’t, ”, he’s, Smith, he's, Mark Milley, Chuck Schumer, it's Organizations: Washington , D.C, D.C, Justice Department, Capitol, Trump, GOP, Obama, Justice Locations: Washington ,, –, U.S, Iowa, Texas

☆ Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith: What they’ve said about their marriage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Lisa Respers France | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith have said their marriage is not a conventional one. Pinkett Smith this week has revealed that she and Smith, who married in 1997, have been living “completely separate lives” since 2016. Pinkett Smith said it was that she and her husband were swingers. Yeah, we just really like each other!”Forever familyPinkett Smith appeared on Sway’s Universe in 2018 and declared that she and Smith “are family,” no matter what. “Take out all that whole marriage/ relationship crap, at the end of the day, Will and I are family.

Persons: Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Pinkett Smith, Smith, I’ve, ” Smith, “, ”, Andy Cohen ”, Cohen, “ indiscretions, ” Pinkett Smith, Pinkett Smith “, we’re, didn’t, “ Jada, August Alsina, ” “, ” Will Smith Organizations: CNN, GQ

☆ Special counsel seeks court order limiting Trump's public statements
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Katelyn Polantz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Justice Department prosecutors want US District Judge Tanya Chutkan to reel in Donald Trump’s public statements in the federal 2020 election interference case against him, asking her to place a court order limiting what he can say, according to a newly released filing. The request for a limited gag order, filed in recent days, represents the most direct response from prosecutors with special counsel Jack Smith’s office to the former president’s public statements to date. The Justice Department said the order is needed to protect the integrity of his trial in March. Trump has already been ordered not to intimidate potential witnesses or talk to them about the facts of the case. They are also seeking a court order that would block Trump’s lawyers from polling potential jurors for the case without the court’s approval first.

Persons: Tanya Chutkan, Donald Trump’s, Jack Smith’s, Trump, ”, Smith, Joe Biden, Chutkan, Mike Pence, Bill Barr –, Prosecutors, ” Trump, Smith’s Organizations: CNN — Justice Department, Justice Department, Trump –, Chutkan, Trump, ” Prosecutors, Defense, Capitol Locations: Washington ,, United States

Special counsel Jack Smith on Tuesday evening made note of the ongoing harm in a legal filing on a procedural matter. They asked Chutkan to overturn the motion she had granted and allow them at least 14 days to respond. Chutkan ultimately granted Trump’s motion to vacate but told his defense team they had only until Monday to respond. But the admission in Smith’s filing that Trump’s social media presence threatens to prejudice the jury pool is a long time coming. None of the judges overseeing the various cases has yet to punish Trump for pushing the limits of his release in daily social media commentaries – though Chutkan has broached the issue.

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Jack Smith, Tanya Chutkan, Smith, ” Smith, Trump, ”, Chutkan, “ Organizations: Trump, Capitol , Justice Department, White Locations: Washington, Trump’s, Georgia, Florida, New York

☆ California professor accused of faking Native American ancestry reaches agreement to resign
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Cheri Mossburg | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —An ethnic studies professor who was accused of claiming to be Native American has agreed to part ways next year with the University of California Riverside following a complaint filed by colleagues, documents show. The separation agreement makes clear that Smith “denies and disputes all allegations contained in the complaint.” CNN has reached out to Smith for further comment. “The nine-page separation agreement will bring a negotiated end to Professor Smith’s employment with the university,” university spokesperson John Warren said in a statement. Earlier this year, another California professor issued an apology for claiming to be Native American. Hoover remains part of UC Berkeley’s faculty.

Persons: Andrea Smith, Smith, ”, Smith “, John Warren, Warren, “, Elizabeth Hoover, Mi’kmaq, Hoover Organizations: CNN, University of California Riverside, Faculty, ” CNN, UC, American . University of California Berkeley, Mohawk, UC Berkeley’s Locations: American, California

☆ Sally Yates: Voters ‘have a right’ to hear evidence against Trump before election
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Jack Forrest | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Sally Yates, a former acting attorney general early in Donald Trump’s administration, said voters “have a right” to hear the special counsel’s evidence against the former president before they head to the ballot box in 2024. She was set to serve until Trump’s pick for attorney general, Jeff Sessions, could be confirmed. Yates, who served in the DOJ for nearly three decades, called Smith “a talented, no-nonsense guy” and praised the strength of his team’s cases against Trump. “I’m not convinced that the government has to prove that Donald Trump believed in his heart of hearts that he had lost the election,” she said. “I think that Attorney General Garland took the right step in leaving the Trump-appointed US attorney in place to complete that investigation,” she said.

Persons: Sally Yates, Donald Trump’s, “, ” Yates, Obama, CNN’s David Axelrod, Trump, Yates, Jeff Sessions, Jack, Smith, let’s, ”, Axelrod, “ I’m, Donald Trump, ” Trump, ‘, Hunter Biden, General Merrick Garland’s, David Weiss, General Garland Organizations: CNN, Department, longtime Justice Department, Trump, DOJ, Justice Department Locations: United States, Florida

Mr. Smith is not the first special counsel to investigate Mr. Trump. Mr. Smith, by contrast, faces no such limits given that Mr. Trump is no longer in office. Mr. Mueller said little when faced with a barrage of falsehoods pushed publicly by Mr. Trump and his allies about him and his investigative team. During Mr. Trump’s arraignment in Miami in June, Mr. Smith sat in the gallery, closely watching the proceedings. Some in the courtroom suggested he stared at Mr. Trump for much of the hearing, sizing him up.

Persons: General Merrick B, Garland, Jack Smith’s, Donald J, Trump, Smith, Maddie McGarvey, The New York Times “, ”, Ryan Goodman, Trump’s, Robert S, Mueller, Smith —, —, Goodman, Smith “, Edgar Hoover, Mueller III, Anna Moneymaker, Ted Stevens, “, Robert McDonnell, Rick Renzi, James, Smith’s, Jay I, Bratt, Cooney, Robert Menendez, Greg Craig, Obama, Andrew G, McCabe, Roger J, Stone Jr, William P, Barr, Aaron Zelinsky, Thomas P, Windom, Peter Dejong Mr, John H ., Carlos F, legwork, sotto, intently, Alan Feuer Organizations: White, The New York Times, New York University School of Law, Capitol, Washington, Department, Just Security, Trump, U.S, New York Times, Justice Department, Justice, Republican, Supreme, Mr, Department of Justice, Democrats, Robert Menendez of New, Hague, Credit, House Republicans, U.S . Postal Inspection Service Locations: Washington, The Hague, Russia, Alaska, Virginia, Arizona, Robert Menendez of, Robert Menendez of New Jersey, U.S, Netherlands, John H . Durham, ’, Miami

Mr. Trump and congressional Republicans have accused Mr. Smith, without evidence, of pursuing a politically motivated investigation intended to destroy Mr. Trump’s chances of retaking the White House, including by leaking details of the case. The former president has taken to calling Mr. Smith “deranged,” and some of his supporters have threatened the special counsel, his family and his team — prompting the U.S. Mr. Smith was flanked by a three-person security detail inside his own building when he delivered remarks to reporters on Tuesday. Mr. Mueller was an established and trusted national figure when he was appointed special counsel, unlike Mr. Smith, who was virtually unknown outside the department and drew a mixed record during his tenure. Mr. Mueller had already solidified a reputation as the most important F.B.I.

Persons: Mueller, ”, Goodman, Trump, Smith, Trump’s, Smith “, Edgar Hoover Organizations: Just Security, Trump, U.S

Trump spoke Tuesday with both House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, who leads the House GOP’s messaging efforts, according to multiple sources familiar with the conversation. Firebrand GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia has previously called for similar action. Despite Trump facing the potential of a third criminal indictment, several House Republicans made clear they would support the former president no matter what. “Donald Trump’s the leader of our party, and Donald Trump is going to be Joe Biden in 2024 for a second time.”Nehls accused the “far left” of having a “severe crush on this guy.”“They have a crush on Donald Trump. Because Donald Trump will win in 2024 and the left just they’re scared shitless,” he said.

Persons: Donald Trump, Trump, Kevin McCarthy, Elise Stefanik, ”, Jack Smith, McCarthy, Stefanik, Smith, Matt Gaetz, Trump’s, Marjorie Taylor Greene, ” Gaetz, Byron Donalds of, Smith “, Jim Jordan, they’ve, Jordan, There’s, Joe Biden, Hunter, Merrick Garland, David Weiss, Marc Molinaro, “ We’re, I’ve, “, Mitch McConnell –, –, McConnell, Troy Nehls, ” Nehls, “ Donald Trump’s, shitless, Tim Burchett, he’s, ” Burchett, Ralph Norman of, ” Norman, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, House GOP, GOP, Trump, Capitol, Firebrand, Marjorie Taylor Greene of, Representatives, Caucus, Department of Justice, Democratic, Justice Department, Hunter Biden, Republicans, Republican, Texas Rep, Tennessee, DOJ Locations: strategize, Manhattan, Florida, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Byron Donalds of Florida, New York, Ralph Norman of South Carolina

☆ Poet Maggie Smith shares her story in ‘You Could Make This Place Beautiful’
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Jessica Dulong | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Poem: “Bride” by Maggie Smith Source: Simon & SchusterSince then, a huge response to her poetry and prose, including two recent bestsellers, “Keep Moving” and “Goldenrod,” has elevated her to celebrity poet status. CNN: You have said that writing about your divorce has turned you into “a divorce whisperer.” How so? Smith's recent memoir, "You Could Make This Place Beautiful" tackles divorce as well as common family terrain. If someone is going through a breakup, I tell them to remember that they predated, and have outlasted, the relationship. There’s no place I can go here where there isn’t a reminder of something that came before.

☆ The Biggest Debates and Opinions in 2022 - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +30 min

Opinion The 22 Debates That Made Us Rage, Roll Our Eyes, and Change Our Minds in 2022Debating is what we do here at Times Opinion. To many, she was an icon: She ruled for 70 years, presided over the transition from empire to commonwealth and served as a living link to the generation that won World War II. (Though Ben Bernanke, a former Fed chairman himself, wrote in The Times that that wasn’t going to happen.) The United States and its European allies poured weapons and aid into Ukraine, but how was this going to end? As 2022 draws to a close, the fighting continues and peace talks look as distant as ever — which probably means that the debates will continue.

☆ Free Speech for All—Except the Little Guy
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Christopher Mills | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

The Supreme Court hears arguments Monday in 303 Creative v. Elenis, in which Colorado claims it can compel Lorie Smith , a wedding website designer, to create custom content for same-sex weddings over her religious objections. The First Amendment broadly prohibits the government from compelling people to speak. Circuit Court of Appeals acknowledged that forcing Ms. Smith to speak a state-imposed message infringed on her First Amendment rights. But it justified that infringement on grounds that her custom designs are “by definition, unavailable elsewhere,” making Ms. Smith “similar to a monopoly.”That’s far-fetched. As one of thousands of designers, Ms. Smith couldn’t have fewer rights.

Lower courts ruled against Smith, prompting her to appeal to the Supreme Court. The remaining 21 states do not have laws explicitly protecting LGBTQ rights in public accommodations, although some local municipalities do. Alliance Defending Freedom, which also represented Phillips, has had success arguing religious rights cases at the Supreme Court in recent years. The court ruled on the baker case before the retirement of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who voted in favor of LGBTQ rights in key cases. In another major victory for LGBTQ rights, the Supreme Court in 2020, to the surprise of many court-watchers, ruled that a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in employment protects LGBTQ employees.

Garland's decision to appoint a special counsel was first reported by the Wall Street Journal. Given that Garland was appointed by President Joe Biden, naming a special counsel would give Garland more distance from the investigation into Trump, who could be Biden’s rival if the president decides to run for re-election. Trump was previously under investigation by former special counsel Robert Mueller, who issued his report in 2019 focusing on Russian interference in the 2020 election and Trump’s efforts to interfere with the Justice Department investigation. Garland said he was confident in the DOJ's ability to investigate Trump, but, "I also believe that appointing a special counsel at this time is the right thing to do. Garland added that he will ensure Smith “receives the resources to conduct this work quickly and completely.”

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