Louisiana executed death row inmate Jessie Hoffman using nitrogen gas, a method that had never been used in the state before. Hoffman was convicted in 1996 of the kidnapping, rape, and murder of advertising executive Mary “Molly” Elliott. Hoffman declined to give a final statement before the gas began flowing and was pronounced dead at the Louisiana State Penitentiary. The execution process was described as flawless, although one witness claimed to see Hoffman convulsing during it.
Before the execution, Hoffman’s attorney argued that using nitrogen gas was unconstitutional and violated his religious freedom as a Buddhist. The appeal was rejected, and the execution proceeded as planned. Louisiana officials defended the method, stating that it is painless and overdue in delivering justice to victims’ families. Multiple attempts to stop the execution were rejected, and the Fifth Circuit courts overturned a temporary reprieve granted to Hoffman.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, emphasizing that executing Hoffman was justice for Mary “Molly” Elliott, her family, friends, and the state of Louisiana. Murrill also stated that at least four people on Louisiana’s death row are expected to be executed this year, after a decade-and-a-half hiatus due to issues securing lethal injection drugs. Hoffman became the seventh person executed in the U.S. in 2025 and the first in Louisiana since 2010, and the fifth person ever to be executed by nitrogen gas.
Death by nitrogen gas is allowed in a few states, including Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, but has only been used in Alabama. The decline in executions nationally over recent years, due to legal battles and state actions, has led to many states either abolishing or pausing the death penalty. Louisiana officials remain committed to carrying out justice in death penalty cases and ensuring that victims’ families receive the closure they deserve. Murrill vowed to defend the law and ensure that justice is served in all death penalty cases in the state.
The use of nitrogen gas as an execution method raises questions about its effectiveness and humanity, with critics arguing that it causes conscious suffocation similar to drowning. However, supporters maintain that the process is painless and adheres to legal standards. The execution of Jessie Hoffman by nitrogen gas marks a significant moment in Louisiana’s history and the broader debate surrounding the death penalty in the United States.
