Louisiana death row inmate files suit to halt execution over use of nitrogen gas
BATON ROUGE, La. (WVUE) - A Louisiana death row inmate scheduled to be the state’s first execution in 15 years had filed a federal complaint and a motion seeking to block his execution, citing concerns about the use of nitrogen hypoxia.
Jessie Hoffman, who is set to be executed on March 18 for the 1996 murder of New Orleans ad executive Molly Elliott, argues in court filings that Louisiana’s execution protocol is undisclosed and violates his constitutional rights. His attorneys claim the state has refused to release details about the method, despite scheduling his execution less than a month away.
The lawsuit says that nitrogen hypoxia, which replaces oxygen with nitrogen and causes death by suffocation, has led to prolonged and distressing executions in Alabama, the only state to have used it.
Hoffman’s legal team is challenging the secrecy surrounding Louisiana’s execution protocol, claiming it denies him due process and raises concerns about potential cruel and unusual punishment.
“Louisiana’s nitrogen gas protocol is completely untested and no court has had a chance to review it,” said Cecelia Kappel, an attorney for Mr. Hoffman. “We haven’t even been able to see the full protocol ourselves, with Jessie’s execution set for just three weeks from now.”
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Hoffman’s legal team is seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the execution from moving forward until the state discloses its procedures and a court reviews the constitutionality of the method.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has previously defended the state’s decision to use nitrogen hypoxia, arguing that it was adopted after difficulties in obtaining drugs for lethal injections.
Hoffman has also filed a supplemental clemency application, emphasizing his rehabilitation and transformation over nearly three decades in prison.
If the execution proceeds, Hoffman would be the first person put to death in Louisiana since 2010.
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