Entries tagged with “Jessie Hoffman”
Jul 14, 2025
New Louisiana Legislation Will Limit Post-Conviction Appeals, Endangering Innocent Prisoners in an Attempt to Expedite Executions
Recent legislation signed by Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry drastically restricts the ability of prisoners to challenge their convictions, which those opposed to the law have argued could lead to the execution of innocent prisoners. HB 675, signed into law in June 2025, imposes strict time limits on post-conviction relief applications and introduces “abandonment” rules that cut off appeal options for prisoners who fail to meet the law’s strict deadlines. The law goes into effect on August 1…
Executions
Religion
,Mar 24, 2025
Four Executions in Three Days Spotlight Constitutional Concerns About Death Penalty
In a three-day span from March 18 to March 20, four men were executed in four different states. Two of the men put to death, in Louisiana and Arizona, were the first executed in their state in years. While the close timing of the executions resulted from independent state-level decisions and individualized legal developments rather than any coordinated national effort, all four executions raised serious constitutional concerns. March 18: Jessie Hoffman (LA) On March 18, Louisiana executed…
Methods of Execution
,Mar 19, 2025
Louisiana Resumes Executions After 15-Year Hiatus with First Nitrogen Gas Execution
After a series of last-minute legal challenges, culminating with a denial of stay from the U.S. Supreme Court, Louisiana executed Jessie Hoffman on March 18, 2025. Mr. Hoffman’s execution marked both the state’s first execution in 15 years and the state’s first execution using nitrogen gas — only the second state to use this new method. State officials acknowledged that Mr. Hoffman exhibited “convulsive activity” as he inhaled nitrogen gas through a mask while strapped to a gurney, but Louisiana…
Methods of Execution
,Mar 12, 2025
Courts Put Upcoming Texas, Louisiana Executions on Hold
On March 11, in separate decisions, a federal court in Louisiana and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals (TCCA) stayed the upcoming executions of David Wood (scheduled for execution in Texas on March 13) and Jessie Hoffman (scheduled for execution in Louisiana on March 18). In Mr. Wood’s case, the TCCA granted a stay of execution to allow the state more time to address the eight claims Mr. Wood asserted in his state habeas claim. In Mr. Hoffman’s case, the U.S. District Court for the Middle…
Methods of Execution
,Upcoming Executions
,Feb 18, 2025
After a 15-Year Pause, Louisiana Governor Intends to Restart Executions Using New Nitrogen Gas Protocol; Courts Set Execution Dates for Two Prisoners
On February 10, 2025, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced his decision to end a 15-year pause on executions, saying the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections is ready to carry out executions under a new nitrogen gas execution protocol. In a press release following his announcement, Gov. Landry said, “For too long, Louisiana has failed to uphold the promises made to victims of our State’s most violent crimes; but that failure of leadership by previous administrations is…