Louisiana Executes Jessie Hoffman Jr. Using Nitrogen Gas: A Historic First
Louisiana executed Jessie Hoffman Jr. via nitrogen gas on March 18, 2025, for the 1996 murder of Mary Elliott, marking the state’s first nitrogen execution. Witnesses described the execution as “clinical,” although some noted involuntary movements. This event highlights ongoing discussions regarding the death penalty’s methods and ethics.
On March 18, 2025, Louisiana executed Jessie Hoffman Jr. using nitrogen gas, marking the state’s inaugural use of this method. Hoffman, who was convicted for the 1996 murder of advertising executive Mary “Molly” Elliott, was pronounced dead at 6:50 PM after the gas flowed for 19 minutes. He declined to make a final statement or partake in a last meal during the execution.
The execution of Jessie Hoffman marks a significant moment in Louisiana’s death penalty history, being the first utilization of nitrogen gas as a method of execution. Despite some reports of involuntary movements during the process, officials deemed the execution successful. As Louisiana seeks to resume executions, the legal and moral debates surrounding capital punishment continue to persist.
Original Source: apnews.com
