Who Was Jessie Hoffman Jr.? The Story Behind Louisiana’s First Nitrogen Gas Execution

The name Jessie Hoffman Jr. has been thrust into headlines this week as Louisiana resumed executions after a 15-year hiatus, using a highly controversial method—nitrogen hypoxia. On Tuesday evening, the state executed Hoffman, marking the first time Louisiana has employed this method and making him only the fifth person in U.S. history to be executed via nitrogen gas.

But who exactly was Jessie Hoffman Jr., and why has his name become central to this renewed debate on capital punishment?

The Early Life of Jessie Hoffman Jr.

Jessie Hoffman Jr., 46, spent the majority of his adult life on death row. Born and raised in Louisiana, Hoffman’s life before his conviction is not widely documented, but what is clear is that his name has long been associated with one of New Orleans’ most brutal crimes from the late 1990s.

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In 1996, when Hoffman was just 18 years old, he was convicted of the murder of Mary “Molly” Elliott, a 28-year-old advertising executive. Elliott, who was well-known in New Orleans for her work and community involvement, was kidnapped and murdered, sending shockwaves through the local community and beyond.

Hoffman was arrested shortly after the crime and has remained in Louisiana State Penitentiary—also known as Angola Prison—ever since. Over the years, he became one of Louisiana’s most high-profile death row inmates.

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The Crime That Led to Death Row

Hoffman’s conviction stemmed from overwhelming evidence, including eyewitness accounts and forensic links to Elliott’s murder. The crime took place during what authorities described as a botched robbery attempt. Prosecutors portrayed Hoffman as a young man who made a devastating and violent choice.

Throughout his time on death row, Hoffman’s legal team filed numerous appeals, citing concerns about his age at the time of the crime, ineffective assistance of counsel during his trial, and the lengthy period he spent awaiting execution. Despite these efforts, the courts upheld his conviction and death sentence.

What Happened to Jessie Hoffman?

On March 18, 2025, Hoffman’s story took a historic turn. Louisiana used nitrogen gas to carry out his execution, marking the state’s first execution since 2010 and its first-ever use of nitrogen hypoxia.

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Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50 PM at Angola Prison after being strapped to a gurney and fitted with a full-face respirator mask. According to state officials, pure nitrogen gas was pumped into the mask, depriving him of oxygen for 19 minutes until his death was confirmed via an electrocardiogram (EKG).

This execution also marks only the fifth instance of nitrogen hypoxia being used in the U.S., following four executions carried out in Alabama. The method has drawn sharp criticism from opponents of the death penalty, who argue it may cause undue suffering, despite state officials defending it as “painless.”

Hoffman’s attorneys filed last-minute appeals, arguing that the nitrogen hypoxia method violated the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment and infringed on his Buddhist faith by interfering with his breathing and meditation during his final moments. However, the Supreme Court declined to intervene, with a narrow 5-4 vote against hearing the case.

A Divided Public Response

Outside the penitentiary, a small group of activists and Buddhist practitioners held a vigil, reading aloud prayers and meditations for Hoffman. Some described him as someone who had found peace with his fate and had grown spiritually while incarcerated.

Yet, state officials and some members of the public saw this as a moment of delayed justice. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill emphasized that Hoffman’s execution closed a tragic chapter, stating, “Justice will finally be served.”

Nitrogen Hypoxia: The New Face of Capital Punishment?

Hoffman’s execution is part of a broader trend, as Louisiana, along with Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and now Arkansas, have officially adopted nitrogen hypoxia as an alternative method amid shortages of lethal injection drugs. The nitrogen method forces inmates to breathe pure nitrogen, leading to oxygen deprivation.

While officials say the method is efficient and necessary given current challenges, critics argue that the physical reactions—such as shaking and gasping witnessed in previous nitrogen executions—paint a much grimmer picture.

The Bigger Picture

Hoffman’s case also highlights the ongoing national debate about the death penalty. The U.S. has seen a sharp decline in executions over the past two decades, with many states either abolishing capital punishment or placing moratoriums on its use. Still, states like Louisiana are moving in the opposite direction, reviving executions with new methods like nitrogen hypoxia.

For some, Jessie Hoffman Jr. will be remembered as a convicted killer. For others, he’s a symbol of a deeply polarizing criminal justice system and the evolving ethics of capital punishment.

As Louisiana prepares for four more executions this year, Hoffman’s case will likely remain a flashpoint for ongoing conversations about justice, punishment, and humanity.