It was the fifth time nitrogen gas was used in the U.S. after four executions by the same method — all in Alabama.

Before his execution, lawyers for Jessie Hoffman Jr., who was 18 when he was convicted of the 1996 murder of a 28-year-old woman, argued that the nitrogen gas execution infringed on his freedom to practice religion.

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.