Now Reading
Alabama Abandons Execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith After Botched Attempt

Alabama Abandons Execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith After Botched Attempt

Kenneth Eugene Smith has been spared from execution in Alabama, at least for the immediate future.

The state called off Smith’s execution by lethal injection — which would have been the fourth execution in the U.S. this week — after repeated attempts to set an IV line.

“We tried several locations (on his body),” Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said, according to AL.com.

This is the second failed execution from the Alabama Department of Corrections this year. Back in July, Joe Nathan James’ execution received heavy scrutiny for breaking away from Alabama protocol for execution after a report in The Atlantic said a private autopsy showed James’ “suffered a long death.”

Ngozi Ndulue, the deputy director of the Death Penalty Information Center, spoke to CNN about the botched attempts.

“The attempted execution of Kenneth Smith last night is the last in a series of executions and attempted executions that demonstrate failures in Alabama’s ability to implement the death penalty consistent with its protocols and constitutional values,” Ndulue said. “When other states have faced sustained problems with executions, they have paused executions and investigated the source of the issue.”

The death penalty has become a pro-life issue for Christians and non-Christians alike. Organizations like the Innocence Project work endlessly to end lethal injections and executions, and Congress has slowly begun discussing what, if anything, can be done about the death penalty. Last year, numerous representatives introduced the Federal Death Penalty Abolition Act of 2021 to Congress in order to abolish the death penalty under federal law.

View Comments (2)

Leave a Reply

© 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Scroll To Top

You’re reading our ad-supported experience

For our premium ad-free experience, including exclusive podcasts, issues and more, subscribe to

Plans start as low as $2.50/mo