On March 18, 2025, Louisiana carried out its first execution in 15 years, using nitrogen hypoxia to put Jessie Hoffman Jr. to death at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola. Hoffman was convicted of the 1996 rape and murder of Mary “Molly” Elliott and had spent decades on death row. This marks the second execution in the U.S. using nitrogen gas, following Alabama’s first use in January 2024.
The execution took 19 minutes, during which Hoffman reportedly experienced convulsive movements before becoming unresponsive. His legal team had appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, arguing that nitrogen hypoxia may cause unnecessary suffering, but the appeal was denied.
Louisiana authorized nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method in 2024, alongside electrocution, due to challenges in obtaining lethal injection drugs. The method works by replacing oxygen with pure nitrogen, leading to unconsciousness and death. Louisiana now joins Alabama, Mississippi, and Oklahoma in allowing this technique.
Hoffman’s execution has sparked renewed debate over capital punishment, with critics questioning the humaneness of nitrogen hypoxia. While supporters argue it is a more efficient alternative, opponents claim its effects are not fully understood and may lead to prolonged suffering.
This marks Louisiana’s first execution since 2010 and the seventh execution in the U.S. in 2025, highlighting ongoing discussions on the future of the death penalty in America.
