‘Last words’ of death row killer executed using method banned on cats and dogs yesterday

Jessie Hoffman Jr, a convicted murderer, was executed on Tuesday (18 March) using nitrogen hypoxia, a method banned for euthanizing cats and dogs due to concerns it causes severe distress. Hoffman, who spent 27 years on Louisiana’s Death Row, was convicted in 1998 for the rape and murder of Mary “Molly” Elliott in New Orleans. 

Hoffman’s execution marked the first use of nitrogen hypoxia in Louisiana. His legal team had attempted to block the execution, arguing that the method would interfere with his ability to meditate and breathe consciously, which they claimed was central to his Buddhist faith. However, their efforts were unsuccessful. 

Hoffman’s final moments were notable for their lack of a final statement or last meal, a rare occurrence in death row cases. Witnesses reported that Hoffman experienced convulsions during the execution, which officials described as an “involuntary response to dying.” Seth Smith, Chief of Operations at the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, stated that Hoffman was unconscious during the process and that the execution followed protocol. 

Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.m. local time, with the nitrogen gas taking 19 minutes to end his life. His attorney, Cecelia Kappel, emphasized that Hoffman had changed significantly during his incarceration, stating, “Jessie no longer bore any resemblance to the 18-year-old who killed Molly Elliott.” 

Molly Elliott’s husband, Andy Elliott, expressed mixed emotions following the execution, saying, “There is relief that this long nightmare is finally over but also renewed grief for Molly and sadness for Mr. Hoffman’s family, whose nightmare began when mine did and who’ve also had to go through nearly 30 years of this gut-wrenching process through no fault of their own.” 

The execution has reignited debates over the ethics of nitrogen hypoxia and the broader use of the death penalty in the United States.