She had a stoic expression, but her body language showed signs of discomfort. She crossed her arms tightly across her chest and shifted her weight from one foot to the other. It was clear that even the seasoned professionals in the room were taken aback by the grotesque spectacle unfolding before them.

The execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith was meant to be a swift and painless process, touted as the most humane method ever devised by society. But as Rev. Jeff Hood, the spiritual advisor to Smith, witnessed the events unfold, he couldn't help but compare it to a nightmarish scene from a horror movie. The 22-minute ordeal seemed like an eternity, filled with struggles that seemed too surreal to be real.

Smith, who had spent over three decades behind bars for his involvement in the murder-for-hire of preacher's wife Elizabeth Sennett in 1988, had already survived a failed attempt at lethal injection just a few months prior. The failed execution had made headlines across the country, raising questions about the effectiveness and ethics of capital punishment. Now, Smith was to face death by nitrogen hypoxia, a controversial method that was supposed to offer a more humane alternative.

As the execution began, Hood, positioned inside the chamber, had a clear view of the prison staff overseeing the procedure. He noticed an undeniable shift in their demeanor as Smith started to writhe in agony. The once composed and professional individuals now seemed unsettled, their facial expressions betraying their shock and surprise.

Smith's movements were described by Hood as resembling a fish out of water, his body convulsing and flapping uncontrollably. The scene was so unsettling that Hood, a seasoned spiritual advisor who had witnessed numerous executions, could not shake off the feeling of being on a movie set, witnessing a grotesque creation gone awry.

Among the prison staff present was Cynthia Stewart-Riley, the Regional Director of the Alabama Department of Corrections. While she maintained a stoic expression, her body language revealed her discomfort. Crossing her arms tightly and shifting her weight, she seemed unable to fully mask her unease in the face of the horror unfolding before her.

The execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith has reignited the debate surrounding capital punishment in the United States. Advocates argue that nitrogen hypoxia is a more humane method, avoiding the potential pain and suffering caused by other execution methods. However, the shocking and prolonged nature of Smith's death has raised concerns about the true efficacy and ethics of this procedure.

As the nation grapples with the aftermath of Smith's execution, questions arise about the humanity of capital punishment and the toll it takes on those involved in the process. Rev. Jeff Hood's firsthand account of the horror he witnessed serves as a chilling reminder of the lasting impact that executions can have on both the condemned and those tasked with carrying out the ultimate punishment.