Louisiana death row inmate challenges nitrogen gas as execution method
A man scheduled to become the first person executed by nitrogen gas in Louisiana is challenging the method in court, arguing it violates his religious beliefs.
A federal judge will decide whether executing Jessie Hoffman Jr by nitrogen hypoxia violates his constitutional right to practice his religion, which includes Buddhist breathing and meditation exercises that would be impeded by the gas during the capital punishment.
Hoffman's attorneys argued against the nitrogen gas method, an execution that causes death by forcing a person to breathe pure nitrogen, in a Baton Rouge federal court on Friday. A decision by the US district judge Shelly Dick could could come by the end of the weekend.
Hoffman has proposed using a drug mixture similar to those used in assisted suicides, but state attorneys have said those drugs are unavailable for executions. His attorneys have also argued that the method, which requires an industrial, full-face mask, would worsen Hoffman's diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder and claustrophobia, and cause severe mental distress.
The move comes amid an intense debate about the role of the death penalty in the US and methods of execution. On Friday, South Carolina used a firing squad to kill a death row prisoner after the condemned man elected that method over the use of drugs.
Hoffman is scheduled for execution on 18 March at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Louisiana adopted its nitrogen hypoxia execution plan just last month, and Hoffman would be the first to die under the new protocol.
Hoffman was convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering a New Orleans advertising account executive, Mary 'Molly' Elliot, in 1996. Her body was found in a wilderness area near the Pearl River in eastern St Tammany parish. Elliot was 28 years old.
The Louisiana attorney general, Liz Murrill, has defended the state's decision to use nitrogen hypoxia.
'On March 18, 2025, the State of Louisiana will execute Hoffman by nitrogen hypoxia for Molly's murder. We have and will continue to vigorously defend the State's obligation to carry out this sentence and bring justice to the family and friends of Molly Elliot,' Murrill said in a statement.
Louisiana scheduled two executions on consecutive days in March, but Christopher Sepulvado, who was set to be executed one day before Hoffman, died of an illness on 23 February.
Hoffman had previously challenged Louisiana's lethal injection protocol in 2012, arguing that the method constituted cruel and unusual punishment. Dick dismissed that lawsuit in 2022 because no executions had been scheduled at the time.
The judge reopened the case last month, and said the state's recently scheduled executions presented 'extraordinary circumstances' that required further review.
Louisiana's last execution happened 15 years ago, when the state used lethal injection to execute Gerald Bordelon.
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Politico
29 minutes ago
- Politico
Minnesota's slain Democratic leader lived the political divisions in the US every day
MINNEAPOLIS — Americans talk constantly about how their country is split down the middle politically. Melissa Hortman lived that every day as a Minnesota House member. Her unique perspective on politics came from her job as the House's top Democrat and its unusual challenge. She had to defend liberal priorities in a chamber divided 67-67 between Democrats and Republicans while working to see that the even split didn't keep the Legislature from funding state government. She and her husband were shot to death early Saturday in their Minneapolis-area home in what authorities are calling an act of political violence. Another prominent area lawmaker, state Sen. John Hoffman, was shot and wounded, along with his wife, in their home about 15 minutes away. Hortman had served as House speaker for six years when the 2024 elections cost Democrats their slim majority. She led fellow Democrats in boycotting House sessions for almost a month, starting in mid-January, to prevent the GOP from using a temporary vacancy in a Democratic seat to cement control over the chamber, forcing Republicans into sharing power. She wanted to protect state health coverage for adult immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, a liberal policy enacted on her watch as speaker in 2023. But when the only budget deal that she could broker included a GOP bill to cut that coverage, she provided the single Democratic vote in the House, securing its passage so that state government would remain funded for the next two years. 'She battled fiercely, but never let it impact the personal bond that we developed serving as caucus leaders,' GOP House Speaker Lisa Demuth said in a statement. 'I am beyond heartbroken by her loss.' The shootings shocked a state that prides its politics as being 'Minnesota nice,' even despite higher partisan tensions in recent years. To outsiders, Minnesota looks blue. The state hasn't voted for a Republican presidential candidate since 1972, and all of its statewide elected officials are Democrats. Yet the Legislature is now almost evenly split, with Democrats clinging to a 34-33 majority in the Senate. Republicans are still frustrated with how Democrats used their slim majorities in both chambers in 2023 and 2024 to roll over them and enact a sweeping liberal agenda. In 2023, Democrats had an ambitious wish list and passed practically everything on it, with Hortman a key player. The measures included expanded abortion and trans rights, paid family and medical leave, universal free school lunches, child care credits and other aid for families. But on Saturday, the mourning for Hortman, Hoffman and their families was bipartisan. Hoffman, 60, is chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees one of the biggest parts of the state budget. He lives in Champlin, in the northwest part of the Minneapolis area, and owns a consulting firm, and he and his wife, Yvette, had one daughter. He previously was marketing and public relations director for a nonprofit provider of employment services for people with mental illnesses and intellectual and developmental disabilities and supervised a juvenile detention center in Iowa. He was first elected to the Senate in 2012. In 2023, Hoffman supported budget legislation that extended the state MinnesotaCare health program to immigrants living in the U.S. illegally, starting this year. On Monday, he voted against a bill to end that coverage for adults on Jan. 1 — a GOP goal that was a key part of the budget agreement that Hortman helped broker. Last year, Hoffman sponsored a bill designed to prevent courts from blocking people with disabilities from adopting children, and in 2023, he proposed an amendment to the state constitution to create a fund to pay for long-term care by taxing the Social Security benefits of the state's wealthiest residents. Hortman had served as the House Democrats' leader since 2017, and six years as speaker, starting in 2019. Under a power-sharing deal, her title became speaker emerita. She and her husband, Mark, lived in Brooklyn Park, another suburb in the northwest part of the Minneapolis area. They had two adult children. A lawyer, she twice lost races for the House before first winning her seat in 2004. U.S. Sen. and Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar recalled campaigning door to door that year with Hortman, when Klobuchar was the elected chief prosecutor for Hennepin County, which includes Minneapolis. Klobuchar praised Hortman's support for free school lunches, women's rights and clean energy, calling her 'a true public servant to the core.' Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, who attended the University of Minnesota's law school with Hortman, said: 'She was smart, savvy, strategic, kind, funny, brave, and determined.' Hortman became part of the Democrats' legislative leadership team in 2007, then House minority leader in 2017, before Democrats recaptured a House majority in 2019. Her proposals included state emission standards like ones imposed in California and a ban on the sale of products containing mercury. She also proposed studying the feasibility of ending state investments in fossil fuel companies. Demuth, the current Republican House speaker, said Hortman was a nationally recognized expert on energy policy. 'She wasn't only a leader — she was a damn good legislator, and Minnesotans everywhere will suffer because of this loss,' said Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, a former Minnesota state party chair and a friend of Hortman's.
Newsweek
13 hours ago
- Newsweek
Minnesota Senator's Heart Nearly Missed in Shooting—Relative
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A bullet narrowly missed Minnesota Democratic state Senator John Hoffman's heart during Saturday's shooting by suspect Vance Boelter, his nephew told local news station KARE 11. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both underwent surgery following the shooting. In a coordinated attack, Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman, also a Democrat, and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their home. Why It Matters The FBI has identified Boelter as the shooter. Boelter impersonated a law enforcement official as he approached the lawmakers' houses, wearing official-looking gear including a vest, badge, and equipment. The suspect shot the Hoffmans several times in their home on Saturday and they are recovering from their operations. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz referred to the killings of the Hortmans' as a "politically motivated assassination." What To Know The Hoffmans' nephew, Matt Oleg, told the local outlet that a bullet narrowly dodged his uncle's heart. It is not clear where else Hoffman was shot. His wife was also shot multiple times. None of her organs suffered any damage, Oleg said. He added that she threw herself on top of her daughter, Hope, to protect her from the bullets, saving her life. Hope was not struck by any bullets. Hoffman is a member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) Party, and has held his seat representing the 34th district since being elected in 2012. He served as minority whip from 2017 to 2020, and currently is the chair of the Human Services Committee. Police officers arrived at the Hoffmans' house around 2 a.m. local time, when, according to a press release from the Champlin Police Department, "officers located two victims inside the residence with multiple gunshot wounds. Immediate life-saving efforts were rendered by responding officers until Allina Health emergency personnel arrived and transported both victims to a nearby hospital." Following the shooting at the Hoffmans' house, the local Brooklyn Park police were called and "proactively" went to Hortman's house around 3:45 a.m., Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley said at a Saturday press conference. When officers arrived, they exchanged gunfire with the suspect who escaped. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter. He is considered "armed and dangerous." Photo of Senator John A. Hoffman. Photo of Senator John A. Hoffman. Minnesota State Senate What People Are Saying Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said during the Saturday press conference: "This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at must all, in Minnesota, and across the country stand against all forms of political violence." Bob Jacobson, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, said during Saturday's press conference: "This is a dark day today for Minnesota, and for democracy." President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post Saturday: "I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison wrote in a post on X: "The Attorney General's Office will do whatever it can to assist law enforcement in their investigation. My heart goes out to Melissa's and Mark's two children and their families." Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, wrote in an X post Saturday: "Horrible news in our neighbor to the north/MN w the targeting of public servants Violence is never the answer I hope suspect is caught & swiftly brought to justice." What Happens Next The investigation remains active and anyone who sees anything suspicious is encouraged to call law enforcement. The suspect is not yet in custody. Walz said earlier today that he is "cautiously optimistic" that the Hoffmans will "survive this assassination attempt."
14 hours ago
Minnesota assassination suspect Vance Boelter on the run; had dozens of Democrats on list, sources say
Authorities said they've identified 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as a suspect as they search for the gunman who allegedly shot and killed a state representative and shot and wounded a state senator in a targeted act of violence early Saturday. Authorities said they're still investigating if Boelter knew the victims in Saturday's shooting: State Rep. Melissa Hortman and State Sen. John Hoffman. "There's certainly some overlap with some, you know, public meetings, I will say, with Sen. Hoffman and the individual," authorities said. Police released this photo of Boelter taken on Saturday. It is believed that the third photo in this wanted poster shows the suspect at one of the lawmakers' homes. Authorities said the suspect was impersonating a police officer. Police believe that when the shooter opened fire, he was wearing a latex mask that looked realistic, sources said. Dozens of Minnesota Democrats were on a target list written by the gunman, according to law enforcement sources. Those on the list included Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and state Attorney General Keith Ellison, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the matter. Police said the list -- which was retrieved from the suspect's vehicle -- also named Hortman and Hoffman. Both victims are Democrats and Hortman was formerly the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. The shooter's list of potential targets also included the names of abortion providers and pro-choice activists, several sources told ABC News. Many of the Democratic lawmakers on the list have been outspoken about pro-choice policy positions, two sources said. Security resources have been dispatched to protect those people named on the list, authorities said. The Capitol Police said it's "working with our federal, state and local partners." The shootings began around 2 a.m. Saturday when Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were both shot multiple times at their home in Champlin, Minnesota, authorities said. "We're cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt," Walz said at a news conference. After Hoffman was shot, officers headed to pro-actively check on Hortman, who lived in the nearby town of Brooklyn Park, police said. Around 3:35 a.m., the officers found the suspect -- dressed as a police officer -- coming out of Hortman's house, police said. The suspect fired at the officers; gunfire was exchanged and the suspect was able to escape and flee on foot, authorities said. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were both found fatally shot at the house, police said. The suspect's vehicle -- which looked like a police vehicle, including police lights -- was in Hortman's driveway, authorities said, and the list of potential targets was found inside the car. Walz said in a statement, "We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that out state is strengthened by civil public debate. We must stand united against all forms of violence." "We will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice," he added. A shelter in place order has been lifted for Brooklyn Park. Local leaders said, even though the suspect remains at large, "there is reason to believe he is no longer in the area." But Walz warned that Minnesotans should not attend any political rallies in the state until the suspect is caught. Fliers that said "No kings" were found in the suspect's car, authorities said. Thousands of "No Kings Day" protests are set to be held across the U.S. on Saturday to protest Trump's administration and to counterprogram the military parade in Washington, D.C.
