Death row inmate likely to be first American to die by nitrogen gas

A death row inmate is likely to become the first American scheduled to die using nitrogen gas, even if he wins a case at the U.S. Supreme Court. Richard Glossip (pictured) and two other prisoners are appealing against the use of a controversial lethal injection drug. But even if the court rules in their favour, the state of Oklahoma can use gas to execute them. The Supreme Court was told last week that Midazolam is not a powerful enough anaesthetic to render prisoners unconscious, before two other drugs are injected to kill them. There have been several instances of prisoners taking longer than expected to die.

One description is that an inmate was flopping around like a fish against the restraints. That’s someone who is clearly experiencing high levels of pain and we know that the lethal drug is akin to being burned from the inside out.

Robert Dunham, the executive director of the Death Penalty Information Centre, speaking to Sky News

Justice Elena Kagan compared lethal injection to burning someone at the stake, while using a completely unknown anaesthetic. “It’s like being burned alive,” Justice Kagan said. “We’ve actually talked about being burned at the stake, and everybody agrees that that’s cruel and unusual punishment.” Last month the Governor of Oklahoma signed a law which allows death row prisoners to be executed with nitrogen gas if lethal injection drugs are not available. Glossip would be the first American to be executed using this method, although lawyers are expected to mount legal challenges before the sentence is carried out.

If it’s so humane then you have to explain what happened to the guy in Ohio who suffered. You have to account for (Clayton) Lockett here in Oklahoma who suffered for 45 minutes.

Death row inmate Richard Glossip

Americas glossip