In a groundbreaking move that rekindled the national discourse on capital punishment, Alabama executed a convicted murderer on Thursday using nitrogen gas, a method never before employed in the United States. While state officials asserted the method’s humanity, critics labeled it as both cruel and experimental.

Kenneth Eugene Smith, 58, was pronounced dead at 8:25 p.m. at an Alabama prison after inhaling pure nitrogen gas through a face mask, inducing oxygen deprivation. This marked the first use of a new execution method in the U.S. since the introduction of lethal injection in 1982.

The execution, which took approximately 22 minutes, saw Smith conscious for several minutes, during which he exhibited signs of shaking and writhing on the gurney. Critics argued that the procedure appeared to be more prolonged and arduous than the state had predicted.

In a final statement, Smith remarked, “Tonight Alabama causes humanity to take a step backward… I’m leaving with love, peace, and light.” He expressed gratitude and love towards his family members who witnessed the execution.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey asserted that the execution brought justice for the 1988 murder-for-hire killing of 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett. Ivey stated, “After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.”

Despite the state’s insistence on the effectiveness and humanity of the nitrogen gas method, there were concerns raised by observers, including Smith’s attorneys, about the potential for constitutional violations against cruel and unusual punishment. Critics argued that Smith was being used as a test subject for an experimental execution method.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Smith’s last-minute legal challenge, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissenting, stating that Alabama had selected him as a “guinea pig” for an untested execution method. Sotomayor expressed concern about the lack of transparency regarding the execution protocol.

While Alabama officials defended the nitrogen gas method as humane, the execution prompted reactions from various groups, including the Sant’Egidio Community, a Vatican-affiliated Catholic charity, which labeled the method as “barbarous” and “uncivilized.”

As states seek alternative execution methods due to challenges in obtaining lethal injection drugs, Alabama, Mississippi, and Oklahoma have authorized nitrogen hypoxia. However, until now, no state had attempted to use this untested method.

Smith’s case involved a murder-for-hire plot in which he and another individual were paid to kill Elizabeth Sennett on behalf of her pastor husband. The execution came after a legal battle, with concerns raised about the secrecy surrounding the execution protocol and the potential for inhumane treatment.

Five years after the tragic shooting death of Tomball-area resident Elizabeth “Liz” Barraza in her own driveway, her father, Bob Nuelle Jr., is breaking his silence about his beliefs regarding the identity of the killer. Liz Barraza, a 29-year-old Star Wars charity group member, was gunned down on January 25, 2019, while setting up for a garage sale at her home in the 8600 block of Cedar Walk Drive.

The assailant, caught on surveillance video, approached Liz, shot her four times, and quickly fled the scene. The shooting, deemed a planned attack, occurred just before 7 a.m., as Liz’s husband, Sergio Barraza, had left for work. The suspect, disguised and wielding a revolver, left no shell casings, and nothing was stolen from the Barraza residence.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office detectives have been investigating the case, relying on video footage from neighborhood cameras that captured the suspect’s vehicle, identified as a dark-colored Nissan Frontier. Despite the leads, an arrest has not been made.

In an interview with ABC13’s Jessica Willey, Nuelle revealed his belief that the shooter was hired, making the case more challenging as the investigators may be dealing with two unknown parties without names or addresses. Nuelle described the day of Liz’s murder as “the worst day” of his life and emphasized the absence of known enemies for his daughter, who dedicated her life to serving others through the 501st Legion charity group.

The FBI and Texas Rangers have joined the investigation, and no suspects have been ruled out. Liz’s parents maintain a website, WhoKilledLizBarraza, to keep the public informed and highlight the $50,000 Crime Stoppers reward for information leading to an arrest.

A news conference is scheduled at Crime Stoppers on Thursday, where family members and investigators will provide updates on the case. Nuelle remains optimistic that the mystery surrounding Liz’s murder will eventually be solved. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app.

By Indira Zaldivar & Edward Saenz

Social media serves as one of the modern strategies employed by human traffickers to groom and recruit victims.

Human trafficking, a contemporary form of slavery, warrants increased awareness as criminals generate billions of dollars annually by coercing individuals into exploitative and illicit activities.

In recognition of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the Houston Police Department cautioned the public about potential indicators of human trafficking through social media and provided safety recommendations for online activities.

“Social media is the platform most used by traffickers to identify the vulnerabilities of victims,” stated Houston Police Department Officer Mayra Seay.

Traffickers often target vulnerabilities such as unemployment and lack of social safety nets. Additionally, they entice victims with false friendships or promises of a luxurious lifestyle or better job opportunities.

To reduce vulnerability on social media, Seay emphasized the crucial recommendation of rejecting friend requests from strangers and verifying the authenticity of profiles sending such requests. Safety guidelines include refraining from sharing personal information, intimate photos, and identifying details online, as predators may exploit this sensitive information to coerce victims.

“Traffickers use social media to recruit their victims,” Seay explained. “If a profile is not private, they can see what victims like and enjoy doing for fun. They use that information to approach the victim and establish a friendship.”

“When the victim trusts that person, they then use that information to try to make false promises, lure them out of their homes, and make them victims of human trafficking.”

In January alone, the Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance of Southeast Texas rescued 18 people from human trafficking, half of whom were minors, according to Houston Police Department Officer Robert Medel. The youngest victim rescued by HTRA was 13 years old.

“Traffickers do not discriminate based on race, sex, or age,” noted Medel.

For parents and guardians of minors using social media, officers recommended monitoring online activities, including contacts and passwords, cautioning minors about interacting with strangers, and refraining from sharing identifying information online.

Given Houston’s status as a hotspot for human trafficking, the officers encourage individuals, regardless of legal status, to report any suspicions of human trafficking by calling 713-308-8600.