Alabama's First Nitrogen Gas Execution Sparks Controversy Alabama's recent execution of Kenneth Smith using nitrogen gas has sparked a divide in opinions. State officials praised the execution as a successful model for other states, while critics condemned it as appalling and far from what was promised by the state. Witnesses reported conflicting accounts of the execution, with some describing Mr. Smith's violent shaking and writhing, contradicting the state's assertion of a rapid and unconscious process. Despite the controversy, Alabama officials have vowed to continue using nitrogen gas in future executions.