Execution of Jessie Hoffman Jr. Marks Louisiana’s First Use of Nitrogen Gas
Louisiana executed Jessie Hoffman Jr. on April 18, 2023, using nitrogen gas, marking its first execution since 2010. Witnesses, including a spiritual adviser, observed a solemn procedure with minimal interaction from Hoffman. He declined a last meal and statement, ultimately succumbing to the gas after a series of involuntary movements, with the execution chief announcing his death formally afterwards.
On Tuesday, April 18, 2023, Louisiana’s execution chamber witnessed the execution of Jessie Hoffman Jr., marking the state’s first execution using nitrogen gas. The atmosphere was filled with the smell of spring flowers and the sound of chanting, emanating from Hoffman’s spiritual adviser, who entered the chamber as witnesses gathered. Inside Camp F at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, warnings about the nitrogen hypoxia system were prominent, emphasizing the gravity of the moment.
At approximately 6:17 p.m., Jessie Hoffman, who was restrained on the execution table and covered in a gray blanket, faced the witnesses through a viewing window. He wore a blue respirator, concealing most of his features, leaving only his neck and hands visible. When asked by Angola Warden Darrel Vannoy if he wanted to make a last statement, Hoffman remained silent and had previously declined a final meal, as confirmed by prison officials.
The execution began at precisely 6:21 p.m. without a clear signal to witnesses. According to officials, ultra-high grade nitrogen gas surged into the mask covering Hoffman’s face. Five minutes later, his breathing became irregular. Witnesses noted that his body shuddered, and his fingers twitched while he remained strapped to the table, gradually succumbing to the effects of the gas.
As he lay there, the chamber was silent apart from birds chirping nearby. Hoffman had been sentenced to death for the murder of Mary “Molly” Elliott in 1996. No family members of the victim attended the execution, nor were Hoffman’s family and legal representatives permitted to witness this somber event.
The spiritual adviser, Rev. Reimoku Gregory Smith, was present, kneeling nearby as Hoffman faded. His breathing slowed, and ultimately ceased. The execution continued under bright fluorescent lights, while Vannoy and another official awaited the conclusion. At 6:38 p.m., Hoffman’s breathing became imperceptible, and the prison official remained composed, preparing for the execution to conclude.
At 6:50 p.m., Vannoy announced Hoffman’s death. Initially veiled, Hoffman’s face became visible as the mask was removed, revealing a grimace. The execution produced rhythmic chanting and popping sounds for several minutes afterward—a part of the ritual approved by the state.
The execution of Jessie Hoffman Jr. marks a significant event in Louisiana, highlighting the state’s implementation of nitrogen gas as a method of execution. The procedure was solemn, with minimal visibility for witnesses and a lack of family representation. Hoffman’s quiet final moments, combined with the presence of a spiritual adviser, underscored the gravity of this capital punishment event, which ended a lengthy period without executions in the state since 2010.
Original Source: www.nola.com
