Louisiana puts man to death in US state’s first nitrogen gas execution

Jessie Hoffman Jr was convicted in the 1996 murder of Mary ‘Molly’ Elliott (Caroline Tillman/Federal Public Defender’s Office For the Middle and Western Districts of Louisiana via AP)

The US state of Louisiana has used nitrogen gas to put a man to death for a murder committed decades ago, marking the first time the state has used the method as it resumed executions after a 15-year hiatus.

Jessie Hoffman Jr, 46, was pronounced dead at 6.50pm local time (11.50pm GMT) at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, authorities said, adding the nitrogen gas had flowed for 19 minutes during what one official characterised as a “flawless” execution.