Louisiana has executed convicted murderer Jessie Hoffman Jr. by nitrogen gas, ending the state’s 15-year pause on capital punishment and igniting fresh debate over execution methods in America.
Key Takeaways
- Jessie Hoffman Jr. was executed for the 1996 abduction, rape, and murder of Mary Elliot, becoming Louisiana’s first execution since 2010.
- The execution used nitrogen gas administered through a mask for 19 minutes, marking the first time this method was used in Louisiana and only the fifth time in the United States.
- Despite legal challenges claiming the method violated Hoffman’s religious freedom and Eighth Amendment rights, the Supreme Court allowed the execution to proceed in a narrow 5-4 vote.
- Louisiana officials claim the nitrogen hypoxia method was necessary due to difficulties obtaining lethal injection drugs, with at least four more executions planned this year.
- The execution represents a growing trend of states adopting alternative execution methods as traditional lethal injections face challenges.
Louisiana Resumes Executions After 15-Year Hiatus
Louisiana carried out its first execution since 2010 with the death of Jessie Hoffman Jr., who was convicted of the 1996 abduction, rape, and murder of Mary Elliot, a 28-year-old advertising executive. The execution took place at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, where officials administered nitrogen gas through a respirator mask for approximately 19 minutes. Governor Jeff Landry, who has advocated for resuming executions to demonstrate a tough stance on crime, supported the procedure as fulfilling the state’s commitment to justice.
The execution was witnessed by prison officials, a coroner, a physician, a chaplain, family members of the victim, reporters, and representatives from the governor’s and attorney general’s offices. Officials reported that Hoffman convulsed for about two minutes after the gas was administered but was likely unconscious during these movements. Hoffman declined to give a final statement before his death, which officials described as having proceeded according to protocol.
A Cold Night for Justice: The Execution of Jessie Hoffman Jr.
On March 19, 2025, Louisiana carried out its first execution in 15 years, using nitrogen hypoxia to kill Jessie Hoffman Jr. for the 1996 kidnapping, rape, and murder of 28-year-old Mary Margaret "Molly" Elliot.… pic.twitter.com/p4O6rWnDFN
— Dr.Jack (@him_yadav) March 19, 2025
Controversial Method Faces Legal Challenges
Hoffman’s attorneys mounted several legal challenges to stop the execution, arguing that the nitrogen hypoxia method violated both the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment and Hoffman’s religious freedoms as a Buddhist. They claimed the method would interfere with his breathing and meditation practices during his final moments. These claims were rejected by state courts, and ultimately the United States Supreme Court declined to intervene in a close 5-4 vote.
The nitrogen hypoxia method involves depriving the body of oxygen by forcing the inmate to breathe pure nitrogen, causing death through suffocation. Louisiana officials maintain the method is painless and necessary due to the increasing difficulty in obtaining drugs for lethal injections. The method is currently authorized in five states: Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Alabama has previously used the method four times, making Hoffman’s execution the fifth in the nation using nitrogen gas.
Future of Capital Punishment in Louisiana
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced that the state expects to execute at least four more death row inmates this year. In 2024, Louisiana expanded its death penalty options to include nitrogen hypoxia and electrocution as alternatives to lethal injection. This shift reflects a broader national trend of states adopting alternative execution methods as pharmaceutical companies increasingly refuse to provide drugs for lethal injections and public support for capital punishment declines.
During the execution, a small group of opponents held a vigil outside the prison, calling it a “Meditation for Peace.” The execution represents the seventh death row execution in the United States this year. The use of atypical execution methods has been increasing nationwide, with South Carolina recently conducting an execution by firing squad. Despite these developments, the overall number of executions in the country has declined significantly due to legal challenges, drug shortages, and shifting public opinion on capital punishment.
Sources:
Louisiana Resumes Capital Punishment With First Nitrogen Execution
Louisiana puts man to death in state’s first nitrogen gas execution
Louisiana death row killer Jessie Hoffman becomes state’s first nitrogen gas execution
