A federal judge has reopened a lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s execution protocol as the state prepares to carry out the death penalty using nitrogen gas in the coming weeks
A federal judge has reopened a lawsuit challenging Louisiana's execution protocol as the state prepares to use nitrogen gas for executions. The state, which paused executions for 15 years due to political reasons and drug shortages, now plans to execute two inmates in March with Republican Governor Jeff Landry's support. The case was initially brought by Jessie Hoffman in 2012, challenging the lethal injection method, and dismissed in 2022 due to no planned executions. With the new nitrogen gas protocol, the judge agreed to reopen the case, and Hoffman's attorney is seeking a hearing. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill plans to appeal the decision. The first nitrogen gas execution in the U.S. occurred in Alabama last year, with witnesses noting physical reactions from those executed.
