In a landmark decision, the Alabama Supreme Court has granted the state attorney general's request for an execution warrant, paving the way for the use of nitrogen gas as a method of execution. This marks the first time that Alabama, or any state for that matter, will attempt to carry out a death sentence using this particular method. The court's all-Republican panel voted 6-2 in favor of the execution warrant for inmate Kenneth Eugene Smith, who was convicted of the 1988 murder-for-hire slaying of Elizabeth Sennett in Alabama's Colbert County.

While the court order did not specifically mention the execution method, the state attorney general has indicated in court filings that they intend to use nitrogen gas. However, the exact date of the execution is yet to be determined and will be set at a later time by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. This decision brings Alabama one step closer to becoming the first state to implement nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method. It should be noted, however, that further legal challenges and litigation are expected regarding this proposed method.

The Alabama Attorney General, Steve Marshall, expressed his satisfaction with the court's decision and acknowledged the lengthy wait for justice that Sennett's family has endured. In a statement, Marshall said, "Elizabeth Sennett's family has waited an unconscionable 35 years to see justice served. Today, the Alabama Supreme Court cleared the way for Kenneth Eugene Smith to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia. Though the wait has been far too long, I am grateful that our capital litigators have nearly gotten this case to the finish line."

On the other hand, Smith's attorney has yet to respond to inquiries seeking comment. However, in a court filing submitted in September, Smith's legal team urged the court to reject the execution request. They argued that the state was essentially using Smith as a test subject for an untested and recently released execution protocol involving nitrogen hypoxia. This method would involve depriving the inmate of oxygen by forcing them to breathe only nitrogen, ultimately causing their death. While proponents of the method claim it to be painless, opponents have raised concerns, likening it to human experimentation.

It's worth noting that the state's previous attempt to execute Smith by lethal injection was unsuccessful last year. The execution was called off by the Alabama Department of Corrections when the execution team faced insurmountable difficulties connecting the required two intravenous lines to Smith. Smith's legal team previously accused the state of hastening the process for a nitrogen execution in an attempt to render Smith's lawsuit challenging lethal injection procedures moot.

In dissent, Chief Justice Tom Parker and Justice Greg Cook expressed their opposition to the court's decision. Meanwhile, prosecutors revealed that Smith and another individual were paid $1,000 each to carry out the murder of Elizabeth Sennett on behalf of her pastor husband. The shocking details surrounding Sennett's slaying and the subsequent revelation of her husband's involvement sent shockwaves through the small northern Alabama community. Disturbingly, he took his own life just a week after the crime. The other individual convicted in the murder was executed in 2010, further adding to the complexity and gravity of this case.