Key Takeaways:

• Louisiana conducts its first execution in 15 years using nitrogen gas to put Jessie Hoffman Jr. to death.
• The state's attorney general affirmed that resuming executions is part of Louisiana's commitment to justice for victims' families.
• Legal disputes over the method’s constitutionality and Hoffman's religious rights reached the Supreme Court, which declined to intervene.
• Hoffman, convicted for the abduction and murder of Molly Elliott, did not provide a final statement and declined a last meal.

In a significant and controversial decision, Louisiana executed 46-year-old Jessie Hoffman Jr. on Tuesday night, using nitrogen gas as the method of capital punishment, marking the state's first execution in 15 years. This execution follows a series of heated legal battles and is part of Governor Jeff Landry's initiative to resume capital punishment to signal a tough stance on crime, as highlighted in reports from The New York Times.

Hoffman, who was convicted for the 1996 abduction, rape, and murder of 28-year-old Molly Elliott in New Orleans, faced last-minute challenges to stop his execution. His attorneys argued that nitrogen hypoxia, deemed to be a painless method, infringes upon his religious rights, particularly his Buddhist practices involving meditation and breathing before death. Although a federal judge initially granted a temporary restraining order, the U.S. Supreme Court voted 5-4 against intervening, allowing the execution to take place as planned.

The execution protocol involved strapping Hoffman to a gurney and using a full-face respirator mask through which pure nitrogen was administered, effectively depriving him of oxygen. Reports reveal that the process endured for about 19 minutes before he was pronounced dead, according to information from CBS News.

As the execution unfolded, reactions varied widely. State Attorney General Liz Murrill proclaimed that this action was a fulfillment of justice for victims, while Hoffman's attorney expressed deep concerns about the implications of this execution for both Hoffman's family and the broader societal impact. She noted that many, including victim families, do not believe further killings would serve justice.

Criticism of the execution method was pronounced, with observers and advocates highlighting the potential suffering and psychological impact on all involved, including prison staff. Notably, Hoffman declined to make a final statement or request a last meal as he faced execution under a method that has only been used in Louisiana after being legalized following legislative changes. As the state moves forward with four more executions expected this year, the discourse surrounding the death penalty continues to evolve amid growing scrutiny of its methods and ethics.

Hoffman’s case marks a turning point in Louisiana's approach to capital punishment, with ongoing discussions about the balance between justice for victims and the rights of the accused.

For further details on Hoffman's case, refer to the original articles from CBS and The New York Times.