Louisiana clears path to restart executions
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Louisiana corrections officials have drafted and approved a new policy to allow the state to restart executing death row inmates, Gov. Jeff Landry said Monday.
The latest: The policy is modeled after Alabama's execution methods, Landry's statement says, and includes the use of nitrogen gas.
Catch up quick: State-sanctioned executions are already controversial, but when Alabama became the first state to use nitrogen gas last year, the new method faced additional scrutiny.
- Alabama death row inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith was "shaking and writhing" for about two minutes at the start of the execution, Axios' April Rubin reported at the time.
- The state has since executed three more people using the method, with the latest taking place last week, CBS News reported as the U.S. Supreme Court has denied appeals over the use of nitrogen gas.
Louisiana has not executed anyone since 2010, NPR reported.
- About 60 people in the state are on death row, according to the Death Penalty Information Center.
What he's saying: Echoing similar talking points he used to tee up the criminal justice-focused special session that saw Louisiana lawmakers OK the use of nitrogen gas in the state, Landry said the new policies reflected a sign of "promises kept" for crime victims.
- "We will carry out these sentences and justice will be dispensed," Landry said.
How it will work: A summary of Louisiana's new policy states that nitrogen hypoxia will be "accomplished by placing a mask on the inmate's face and replacing oxygen with nitrogen gas."
- The inmate will be allowed access to a spiritual adviser, and witnesses can include victims and/or people close to them, as well as pre-authorized journalists.
- The inmate will be medically monitored during the execution, and they will have the opportunity to share a final statement before the procedure is carried out.