ATMORE-The execution of Kenneth Smith, 58 took place at the Holman Correctional faciality on January 25 at 8:25PM. Smith was put to death with nitrogen gas, first time this method of execution was used in the United States.
Smith is one of two men convicted in murder-for-hire of Elizabeth Sennett. Smith and one other man were hired to kill Sennett and were hired by her pastor husband who wanted his wife dead for the insurance money.
After the U.S. Supreme Court legally cleared the execution of Kenneth Eugene Smith to move forward, Governor Ivey told Corrections Commissioner John Hamm that she would not exercise her clemency powers in this case and directed him to proceed with Mr. Smith’s lawfully imposed death sentence for the 1988 capital murder of Elizabeth Sennett.
Governor Ivey issued the following statement:
“On March 18, 1988, 45-year-old Elizabeth Sennett’s life was brutally taken from her by Kenneth Eugene Smith. After more than 30 years and attempt after attempt to game the system, Mr. Smith has answered for his horrendous crimes.
“The execution was lawfully carried out by nitrogen hypoxia, the method previously requested by Mr. Smith as an alternative to lethal injection. At long last, Mr. Smith got what he asked for, and this case can finally be put to rest.
“I pray that Elizabeth Sennett’s family can receive closure after all these years dealing with that great loss.” – Governor Kay Ivey
