Louisiana Senate passes bill adding gas, electric chair to death penalty methods
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A bill that would add nitrogen gas and the electric chair as methods of execution has passed in the Senate.
HB6, filed by state Rep. Nicholas Muscarello Jr. (R-Baton Rouge), was passed 24-15 on Thursday, Feb. 29. The bill also sets guidelines to protect the names of people who help carry out the execution.
The Louisiana House of Representatives advanced the bill with a vote of 71-29.
Nitrogen hypoxia is an execution method where a gas mask replaces breathable air with nitrogen to deprive the person of oxygen. It was first used in Alabama.
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The last execution in Louisiana was in 2010. The bill was ordered to go back to the House to be concurred before heading to the governor’s desk.
“On behalf of many citizens in this State and victims, I want to thank you for your vote. To each member of the Senate, I want to thank you all for taking up HB 6, debating it and passing it. This bill finally provides victims the justice they deserve. To those who opposed it, it is my hope that the opportunity to voice your beliefs and convictions inside of a democratic process is appreciated. To those senators who supported the measure, on behalf of countless citizens, victims, their families and the prosecutors, who have labored for justice, I give you their thanks,” Landry said on social media.
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