In Louisiana's gas execution method, a death row inmate would be forced to breathe the pure nitrogen through a gas mask fastened tightly to their face for either 15 minutes or for 5 minutes after the inmate's heart rate reaches a flatline on an EKG, whichever is longer.

Louisiana has executed a man for the first time in 15 years using nitrogen gas. WDSU anchor Gina Swanson was one of the two witnesses allowed by the state inside the room. Jessie Hoffman was executed Tuesday night at Angola and was pronounced dead at 6:50 p.

Death row inmate Jessie Hoffman's execution marks the first time Louisiana has used the method and is the state's first execution in 15 years.