Following the execution of a death row inmate who was killed using a new controversial method, his final meal has been revealed.
As previously reported, Alabama inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith was executed using nitrogen hypoxia at William C. Holman prison on Thursday, January 25.
Smith was convicted in 1988 for the murder of a preacher's wife, Elizabeth Sennett.
Initially slated for a lethal injection in November 2022, Smith's execution was halted after a four-hour attempt to find a vein proved unsuccessful.
Nearly 14 months later, on January 25, the 58-year-old found himself on the execution gurney once again, this time with nitrogen hypoxia being used as the method to kill him, a method only authorized in Alabama, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, and never before employed on a human being.
Leading up to the execution, state officials argued that nitrogen hypoxia would induce rapid unconsciousness and subsequent death. However, the prisoner's legal team, along with human rights advocates, contended that the method violated the Eighth Amendment of the US Constitution, protecting against "cruel and unusual punishments."
Despite legal challenges and appeals, the Supreme Court ultimately allowed Alabama to proceed with the execution, as reported by the BBC.
Smith made another legal request to the lower 11th US Circuit Court of Appeals where he challenged the legitimacy of Alabama's nitrogen gas protocol. However, the court also denied the inmate's bid for an injunction in a ruling on Wednesday evening (January 24), stating: "Smith has failed to show a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of his claims," as cited by CNN.
Before his execution at 8:25 pm CST at the Holman Correctional Facility in Alabama, Smith had nine visitors in his cell, including family members, his spiritual advisor, and his attorney.
For his final meal, Smith chose a platter from Waffle House, comprising a T-bone steak, hash browns, toast, and scrambled eggs in A.1. sauce.
In his last words, Smith expressed his thoughts: "Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward… I am leaving with love, peace, and light - thank you for supporting me. I love all of you."
The witnesses to the execution said that they saw the inmate trembling and squirming before the curtains closed at 8:15PM.
Mike Sennett - who is one of Elizabeth's sons - spoke to media after the execution was completed and remarked that his mother "got her justice" after the murderer's "debt was paid" tonight.
At the press conference, Mike added: "Nothing happened here today that’s going to bring Mom back. It's kind of a bittersweet day. We're not going to be jumping around, hooting and hollering 'hooray' and all that. That's not us. But we're glad this day is over."