'Show Compassion': How the family of Kenneth Smith viewed the nitrogen execution of Alan Miller
'Show Compassion': How the family of Kenneth Smith viewed the nitrogen execution of Alan Miller
Smith was the first person ever put to death by nitrogen suffocation. Miller was the second.
Atmore, Ala. — Steven Tiggleman said that at first, those around him tried to keep news of Alan Miller’s pending execution from him. They thought it may be too much.
Earlier this year, Tiggleman watched through a glass pane as his father, Kenneth Eugene Smith, became the first person ever suffocated using nitrogen in a government-sanctioned execution.
On Thursday, the State of Alabama moved to its second execution using the method, pioneering a new method of killing its condemned citizens in the wake of botched lethal injections that had thrown the state’s capital scheme into some doubt. For its second nitrogen execution, Alabama chose Alan Eugene Miller, a man who had, like Smith, survived the state’s first attempt to put him to death by lethal injection.
“Regardless of what he did, and what I seen my dad go through, I wouldn’t want nobody else to suffer like that.” -Steven Tiggleman
Smith told Tread in the hours before his execution that he felt Alabama was trying to kill the only survivors of its execution attempts - himself and Miller. On Thursday, Alabama accomplished that grim task.
Eventually, despite his loved ones’ efforts, Tiggleman heard of Miller’s impending execution. His heart sank. But he said he wasn’t surprised Alabama chose to continue its deathly experiments with nitrogen gas.
“You can’t execute someone the first way, then you move to a second way, and it’s also a failure,” Tiggleman said. “Nobody knows what they’re doing, but they’re doing it.”
Tiggleman said that having watched a nitrogen execution, he believes no one should be subjected to the method.
“Regardless of what he did, and what I seen my dad go through, I wouldn’t want nobody else to suffer like that,” he told Tread.
He said that he believes that Gov. Ivey, who was the first to announce Miller’s death, and Attorney General Steve Marshall, who sought his death warrant, should be required to attend executions in the state.
“They’re signing these documents, so they should have to be there,” he said. “It’s a humanity thing.”
Asked whether he believed watching a nitrogen execution would change their views about the practice, Tiggleman said he wasn’t sure.
“It depends on what was in their hearts,” he said. “There are some heartless people in this world.”
Deanna Smith, Kenneth Smith’s widow, told Tread that Thursday’s execution was another example of Alabama’s failed death penalty system.
“My heart and prayers go out to Mr. Miller’s family, friends, and loved ones who are hurting tonight,” Smith said. “I am saddened and disheartened that Alabama has chose to take Mr. Miller’s life in such a violent manner and has failed to hold Homan Correctional Facility accountable for the initial botched execution of Mr. Miller in 2022.”
Media witnesses of Miller’s execution described around two minutes of shaking against the gurney’s restraints followed by several minutes of gasping for air, a description similar to Tread’s account of Smith’s execution in January.
Tiggleman said that though he doesn’t know Miller or his history, he hopes people remember him for more than his crime. Kenneth Smith, he said, was much more than a condemned man. He was his father.
“He was an amazing father: the best he could,” Tiggleman said. “He helped me find religion and made me a better person. He was more than one incident. Just because you make one mistake or I make a mistake doesn't mean you’re a horrible person. We're all human.”
Tiggleman said that as the nation’s eyes are on Alabama in the wake of Miller’s execution, he hopes that people take a moment to love one another.
“Show compassion to your brothers and your sisters and your mother and your father and look after one another,” he said. “You never know what positive effect you might have on somebody.
