An execution. "Nothing out of the ordinary."

The killing of Kenneth Eugene Smith.

Kenneth Eugene Smith was declared dead at 8:25 p.m. Thursday, and Alabama had become the first state to use nitrogen gas to execute a human.

The following is taken from the Montgomery Advertiser.

At 7:35 p.m. drapes were open in the media witness room. Smith had four witnesses in the room. Smith was wearing a full face mask with a plastic tube running out of a rectangular hole in the concrete block wall of the death chamber connected to the mask. He was strapped to the gurney cruciform, with his arms secured by straps. His body was secured by straps. He raised his head to look into the witness room and appeared to recognize the witnesses who were there for him. He smiled through the mask and made the sign language sign for "I love you" and the OK sign with his left hand. He worked the fingers of his left hand as if counting.

At 7:55 Smith was given the opportunity to make a statement. His words were difficult to hear, muffled by the mask. "Tonight, Alabama caused humanity to take a step backward," he said. He continued to speak but the words were inaudible. He thanked those who supported him through this process and his previous execution attempt. "I love all of you," he said as he ended his statement. "Thank you for supporting me. I love all of you."

At 7:56 the Rev. Jeff Hood, holding a Bible, approached Smith and they appeared to pray.

At 7:57 p.m. a prison staff member inside the death chamber approached Smith and checked the seal of the mask. The nitrogen apparently began flowing.

From 7:57 to 8:01 Smith writhed and convulsed on the gurney. He appeared to be fully conscious when the gas began to flow. He took deep breaths, his body shaking violently with his eyes rolling in the back of his head. Hood, standing about 15 feet away, made the sign of the cross several times. Smith clenched his fists, his legs shook under the tightly tucked-in white sheet that covered him from his neck down. He seemed to be gasping for air. The gurney shook several times during this time. Hood removed his eyeglasses and wiped away tears.

At 8:02 Smith appeared to lose consciousness. His chest remained still for about 20 seconds then he took several large gasps for air. There appeared to be saliva or tears on the inside of the facemask. A female witness for Smith sobbed.

At 8:06 Smith's gasping appeared to slow down.

By 8:07 Smith appeared to take his last breath.

The curtains to the witness room were then closed.

In a news conference following the execution, Department of Corrections Commissioner John Q. Hamm said Smith's reactions were "...nothing out of the ordinary."