Louisiana Prepares for First Execution in 15 Years Using Controversial Nitrogen Gas

Jessie Hoffman's execution is scheduled for March 18, with ongoing legal challenges citing cruelty and religious freedom violations.

Jessie Hoffman, convicted of the 1996 rape and murder of Mary Elliott, is set to be executed using nitrogen gas, marking Louisiana's first execution in 15 years.
Nitrogen gas, only previously used in Alabama, has been criticized as cruel and inhumane, with witnesses reporting visible distress during prior executions.
Hoffman's legal team has filed last-minute appeals, arguing the method violates his religious freedoms as a Buddhist and the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on cruel punishment.
The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a federal judge's stay, allowing the execution to proceed, with the U.S. Supreme Court yet to rule on a pending appeal.
Louisiana's use of nitrogen gas has drawn criticism for ethical inconsistencies, as the state bans the method for euthanizing pets due to its inhumane nature.