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A gas chamber is an apparatus for killing humans or other animals with gas, consisting of a sealed chamber into which a poisonous or asphyxiant gas is introduced. Poisonous agents used include hydrogen cyanide and carbon monoxide.
In the United States, capital punishment is a legal penalty throughout the country at the federal level, in 27 states, and in American Samoa. It is also a legal penalty for some military offenses. Capital punishment has been abolished in 23 states and in the federal capital, Washington, D.C. It is usually applied for only the most serious crimes, such as aggravated murder. Although it is a legal penalty in 27 states, 20 states currently have the ability to execute death sentences, with the other seven, as well as the federal government, being subject to different types of moratoriums.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in the U.S. state of Ohio, although all executions have been suspended indefinitely by Governor Mike DeWine until a replacement for lethal injection is chosen by the Ohio General Assembly. The last execution in the state was in July 2018, when Robert J. Van Hook was executed via lethal injection for murder.
Capital punishment is a legal penalty in the U.S. state of Oklahoma.
Inert gas asphyxiation is a form of asphyxiation which results from breathing a physiologically inert gas in the absence of oxygen, or a low amount of oxygen, rather than atmospheric air. Examples of physiologically inert gases, which have caused accidental or deliberate death by this mechanism, are argon, helium, nitrogen and methane. The term "physiologically inert" is used to indicate a gas which has no toxic or anesthetic properties and does not act upon the heart or hemoglobin. Instead, the gas acts as a simple diluent to reduce the oxygen concentration in inspired gas and blood to dangerously low levels, thereby eventually depriving cells in the body of oxygen.
Kenneth Eugene Foster Jr. is a prisoner formerly on death row in Texas, convicted under the Texas law of parties. At 19 years old, he was convicted of murdering Michael LaHood Jr. on August 15, 1996 at 2:46 a.m., despite not firing a shot. On that same night, Foster, along with three of his friends, Julius Steen, Mauriceo Brown, and Dwayne Dillard, were driving around San Antonio committing armed robberies. Eventually, the group found LaHood outside his parents' home. From there, Mauriceo Brown allegedly exited the car and killed him with a shot to the head. Foster's conviction and death sentence were contested because he was convicted under the law of parties, not for physically committing the crime.
Capital punishment in Alabama is a legal penalty. Alabama has the highest per capita capital sentencing rate in the United States. In some years, its courts impose more death sentences than Texas, a state that has a population five times as large. However, Texas has a higher rate of executions both in absolute terms and per capita.
Matthew Reeves was an American convicted murderer who was executed by the state of Alabama for the 1996 murder of Willie Johnson Jr. Reeves's case generated attention due to claims he was intellectually disabled.
The execution of Joe Nathan James Jr. took place in the U.S. state of Alabama by means of lethal injection. James was sentenced to death for the 1994 murder of his ex-girlfriend, 26-year-old Faith Hall. His execution generated significant media attention and controversy due to a plea by the victim's family to spare his life and allegations that his execution would be botched.
The execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith took place in the U.S. state of Alabama by means of nitrogen hypoxia. It was the first execution in the world to use this particular method.
References
- ↑ "Execution List 2024". Death Penalty Information Center . Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ↑ "Kenneth Eugene Smith: Alabama carries out first nitrogen gas execution". BBC News . January 26, 2024. Archived from the original on January 26, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ↑ Chandler, Kim (January 26, 2024). "Alabama man shook violently on gurney during first-ever nitrogen gas execution". Associated Press . Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ↑ Lozano, Juan A.; Graczyk, Michael (February 29, 2024). "Texas man who long claimed innocence is executed for the slayings of 2, including cousin". Associated Press . Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ↑ Martin, Jeff (March 21, 2024). "Man put to death for 1993 killing of ex-girlfriend, Georgia's first execution in years". Associated Press . Retrieved March 21, 2024.
- ↑ Murphy, Sean (April 4, 2024). "Oklahoma executes man convicted of double slaying in 2002". Associated Press . Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ↑ Salter, Jim (April 10, 2024). "Missouri man executed for killing his cousin and her husband in 2006". Associated Press . Retrieved April 10, 2024.
| Preceded by 2023 | List of people executed in the United States in 2024 | Succeeded by 2025 |