NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana is set to resume executions after a 15-year hiatus, utilizing nitrogen gas as the method of execution, according to the state’s attorney general. This initiative is anticipated to take shape in the coming months, with a hope to execute at least four individuals on death row this year, as district attorneys begin to coordinate execution dates starting in March.
The recent push for this change follows a decision made last year by Louisiana’s Republican-controlled Legislature to broaden execution methods, now including electrocution and nitrogen gas as options. Governor Jeff Landry, who assumed office last year and succeeded a Democratic governor opposed to capital punishment, has confirmed that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections has modified its execution protocols, making it possible to initiate death sentences. In a recent statement, Landry expressed that Louisiana had neglected its responsibilities toward victims of violent crimes, indicating that this lack of action by former administrations has come to an end.
Attorney General Liz Murrill has asserted that executions will progress for individuals who have exhausted all legal appeals. She notes that four men, all sentenced for first-degree murder, are poised to be the first executions carried out under the new directives, out of approximately 60 inmates currently on death row in Louisiana.
Efforts are already underway by district attorneys to schedule executions. DeSoto Parish District Attorney Charles Adams has put forth a motion to execute Christopher Sepulvado, with a hearing set for March 17. Sepulvado’s conviction dates back to 1993, when he was found guilty of murdering his 6-year-old stepson through brutal acts. His attorney has argued against the execution, citing Sepulvado’s advanced age and frail health.
St. Tammany Parish District Attorney Collin Sims has signaled intentions to seek the execution of Jessie Hoffman, a man convicted in 1998 of first-degree murder. Meanwhile, a judge halted a request from Rapides Parish District Attorney Phillip Terrell, who had sought to execute Larry Roy on March 19 for his role in a gruesome murder case. Roy’s legal team argued their client still had a pending post-conviction petition, blocking the execution request.
Cecelia Kappel, representing Roy through the Loyola University Center for Social Justice, described the district attorney’s approach as irresponsible and unlawful, emphasizing that Roy deserves a proper hearing to assess his claims in front of an impartial judge. Kappel learned of the execution proceedings through local media rather than direct communication, indicating a lack of transparency in the process.
In a statement regarding the planned executions, Terrell endorsed nitrogen gas as a painless means of execution, reflecting his commitment to delivering justice to the victims. Murrill remains optimistic that the legal proceedings surrounding Roy’s case will be resolved soon.
The controversial method of nitrogen gas execution was first implemented last year in Alabama, which has since executed several individuals using this technique. The process entails placing a mask over the inmate’s face to replace oxygen with pure nitrogen until death ensues. Prior to execution, inmates will have access to spiritual advisors and opportunities for final statements, and select media and witness representatives will be allowed to observe the process.
Opposition groups and attorneys have condemned the method, claiming it can be cruel and raises significant ethical concerns. Reports from Alabama indicate that some individuals executed via nitrogen gas exhibited involuntary movements during the process, fueling arguments against the method’s reliability and humanity.
Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections has not publicly commented on these developments. Historically, four out of five death sentences in the state have been overturned, with a notable racial disparity present among those on death row, as indicated by advocacy groups. Critics of the death penalty underscore the complexities surrounding its application, citing issues with evidence, intellectual disability, and prosecutorial misconduct.
In response to these criticisms, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for justice for victims and their families, declaring that the state would uphold its judicial responsibilities despite the controversies that come with enforcing the death penalty.
