Louisiana death row inmate challenges nitrogen gas as execution method
Jessie Hoffman Jr, who would become first person state killed this way, says his religious rights would be violated
A 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...© Photograph: Dave Martin/AP
© Photograph: Dave Martin/AP