A Louisiana inmate found guilty of raping and murdering a New Orleans woman is scheduled to be the first person executed via nitrogen gas in that state in 15 years.
Jessie Hoffman Jr., 46 — who was convicted of the 1996 rape and murder of Mary “Molly” Elliot — is scheduled to be executed using the controversial method of nitrogen hypoxia at the Louisiana State Penitentiary on Tuesday, March 18 despite his lawyers arguing that the method is cruel and inhumane, according to The Guardian, Louisiana Luminator and USA Today.
U.S. District Court Judge Shelly Dick issued a preliminary injunction stopping Hoffman’s execution on Wednesday, March 12, writing, per NOLA.com, “the balance of equities and public interest weigh in favor of enjoining Hoffman’s March 18, 2025 execution through nitrogen hypoxia until the matter can be resolved at a trial on the merits.”
Death Row building at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.
AP Photo/Judi Bottoni, File
The judge noted that the execution method — in which a full-face mask is used to administer pure nitrogen gas, which prevents the inmate from receiving any oxygen — could violate the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, per USA Today. She also cited recent accounts of executions in Alabama, which is the only state in recent years to carry out executions via nitrogen hypoxia, per the outlet.
Several people executed in Alabama showed signs of anguish with the nitrogen hypoxia method, including Kenneth Smith and Alan Miller, who both thrashed violently on the gurney during their respective executions in January 2024 and September 2024, The Guardian reported.
However, a federal appeals court overturned the district judge’s ruling on Friday, March 14. The court ruled 2-1 to reverse the preliminary injunction, which gave the go-ahead for the execution via nitrogen gas to continue, the Louisiana Luminator reported.
The Louisiana State Penitentiary.
Giles Clarke/Getty
Photos of the execution equipment at the Louisiana State Penitentiary obtained by The Guardianshowed a blue mask, which envelops a person’s whole face, connected to several pipes, where the gas will enter. Straps and handcuffs could also be seen alongside the mask.
The controversial method of execution by nitrogen hypoxia in the U.S. has led some of the top nitrogen gas manufacturers — including French-owned Airgas — to ban the use of its product for this purpose, the outlet previously reported.
Nitrogen hypoxia is even banned under Louisiana’s state laws for euthanizing pets due to the distress animals experience before their death, according to The Guardian. Guidelines from the American Veterinary Medical Association only recommend using it if the animal is “already unconscious.”
Leading up to the execution last week, Hoffman’s lawyers argued that the method would give Hoffman “superadded pain and suffering” and violate his constitutional rights, per NBC News.
Hoffman’s lawyers argued that the mask used in the procedure would give Hoffman claustrophobia and worsen his PTSD. They also said that it would be a form of mental torture and that it would “substantially” impact his ability to do Buddhist breath work, the outlets reported.
Hoffman himself also testified at the hearing and requested that the state use a different method to execute him, per NOLA.com.
Hoffman is on death row for the 1996 abduction, rape, and murder of 28-year-old Mary “Molly” Elliott. She had been picking up her car at a New Orleans parking garage when Hoffman, who was 18 at the time, abducted her at gunpoint before raping and killing her. He was sentenced to death in 1998.
