Jessie Hoffman Jr, who would become first person state killed this way, says his religious rights would be violatedA man scheduled to become the first person executed by nitrogen gas in Louisiana is challenging the method in court, arguing it violates his religious beliefs.A federal judge will decide whether executing Jessie Hoffman Jr by nitrogen hypoxia violates his constitutional right to practice his religion, which includes Buddhist breathing and meditation exercises that would be impeded by the gas during the capital punishment. Continue reading...
Louisiana death row inmate Jessie Hoffman Jr. is challenging his scheduled execution by nitrogen hypoxia, arguing it violates his religious freedom and would cause undue mental distress due to his PTSD and claustrophobia. He proposes an alternative drug mixture, but the state maintains it's unavailable. A federal judge will decide on the case, as Louisiana prepares for its first execution in 15 years using this new method.
