Lawyers Ask Federal Appeals Court to Block Nation’s First Execution by Nitrogen Hypoxia

Lawyers Ask Federal Appeals Court to Block Nation’s First Execution by Nitrogen Hypoxia
Kenneth Eugene Smith. Alabama Department of Corrections via AP
The Associated Press
Updated:
0:00

MONTGOMERY, Ala.—Attorneys for the first inmate slated to be put to death with nitrogen gas have asked a federal appeals court to block the execution scheduled later this month in Alabama.

Kenneth Eugene Smith’s attorneys on Monday asked the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block his Jan. 25 execution. The appellate court will hear arguments in the case on Friday.