Louisiana is preparing to execute its first death row inmate in 15 years tonight as Jessie Hoffman is set to die for the 1996 kidnapping, raping and murder of Molly Elliot. It will be the state’s first nitrogen gas execution. Governor Jeff Landry appeared as a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster and said he will not stop the execution.
“Here in Louisiana we have said that certain crimes will cost you your life if you engage in them, and these are promises and contracts that the state of Louisiana has had with these victims families for quite some time,” Landry said.
Hoffman is a practicing Buddhist and his lawyers say killing him with nitrogen gas would interfere with Buddhist breathing exercises, which would be a violation of religious freedoms. Hoffman says he would prefer a different form of execution, even firing squad. Landry says nitrogen gas is a more humane method of execution.
“He wanted us to execute him by firing squad,” Landry said. “So, I feel very confident that this method is much more humane that the one he chose.”
Hoffman kidnapped Elliot in downtown New Orleans the day before Thanksgiving in 1996. According to authorities, Hoffman robbed Elliot of 200-dollars, raped her in the backseat of her own car and fatally shot her execution style. Elliot’s body was dumped in a river in St. Tammany Parish. Landry says Hoffman’s death sentence is appropriate.
“And when these acts of violence happen, society shouldn’t tolerate it.”
Hoffman’s execution is set to take place at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola between six PM and nine PM tonight.
Comments