Louisiana executed someone for the first time in 15 years Tuesday night.
Jessie Hoffman, who had been convicted of abduction, rape and murder in the 1990s, was executed Tuesday night. Our media partners at The Advocate were there; to read their story, click here.
According to ABC News, it was the fifth time nitrogen gas was used in the U.S. after four executions by the same method — all in Alabama. Three other executions, by lethal injection, are scheduled this week — in Arizona on Wednesday and in Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday.
Hoffman was convicted of the murder of Mary “Molly” Elliott, a 28-year-old advertising executive who was killed in New Orleans. At the time of the crime, Hoffman was 18 and has since spent much of his adult life at the penitentiary in rural southeast Louisiana, where he was executed Tuesday evening, ABC News reports.
Here are some statements about the execution:
From Hoffman's attorney Caroline Tillman:
“Tonight, the State of Louisiana took the life of Jessie Hoffman, a man who was deeply loved, who brought light to those around him, and who spent nearly three decades proving that people can change.
Jessie built a family inside those walls—not just with the men who served time alongside him, but with the officers and staff who came to know him over decades. He found faith, not just as a belief, but as a way of living. He became a steady source of strength, offering guidance and comfort to those around him. He carried deep remorse, not as a burden, but as a responsibility—to help others and to make amends however he could. He never stopped expressing his sorrow for the harm he caused, and he never stopped striving to live a life of meaning. His son will remember their weekly phone calls, the unwavering love, and the stabilizing presence Jessie provided in his life.
Louisiana refused to see Jessie for the man he became. The state ignored the voices of those who knew him best and shut the door on mercy. It took his life not because justice demanded it, but because it was determined to move forward with an execution, no matter how many rules had to be broken along the way. It denied him the same clemency process granted to others before him, ignored the profound redemption he had shown, and chose to make him the first test subject for a horrific and unproven execution method.
The world lost a man who still had so much to give. Jessie’s life had meaning. His friendships, his faith, his kindness—they all mattered. And to those who knew him– his son, his wife, his brothers and sisters and family members, friends, spiritual companions, and the many people that live and work inside the prison whose lives he touched– he will never be forgotten."
From Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill:
"Louisiana has successfully used nitrogen hypoxia to carry out the execution of Jessie Hoffman. Hoffman was convicted and sentenced to death for the brutal and merciless rape and murder of 28-year-old Molly Elliott in 1996. Tonight, justice was served for Molly and the State of Louisiana.
Governor Jeff Landry and I made a promise to the citizens of Louisiana and to the family members of victims of these heinous crimes that we would follow the law and put them first.
The last execution here in Louisiana was in 2010 of Gerald Bordelon, a convicted murderer and sex offender. Justice has been delayed for far too long. I, along with the Louisiana Department of Justice, remain committed to ensuring justice is carried out in all death penalty cases in Louisiana.
I took an oath to follow and defend the law. Now Jessie Hoffman faces ultimate judgment before God in the hereafter.
My prayers remain with Molly Elliott’s family and friends, and that no family member ever has to go through the pain that they still feel to this day for the loss of someone like Molly.”
Our media partners did a story about a plea from the victim's family to halt the execution; to read that story click here.
Statement from Ilona Hoffman, Wife of Jessie Hoffman:
"Today, the State of Louisiana took the life of my husband, Jessie Hoffman. But no execution can erase the truth of who he was—a beautiful soul who inspired many.The past few weeks have been incredibly hard, filled with an unimaginable weight that no one should have to carry. Yet through it all, Jessie remained grounded and calm. He faced everything with a strength and grace that most could never understand. I am incredibly proud of him—not just for how he carried himself in these final days, but for the man he became, the love he gave, and the legacy he leaves behind.Jessie was failed by the system from the very beginning. As a child, he was left without the care, protection, and guidance that every child deserves. The system neglected him when he needed help the most, setting him on a path where survival often came before anything else. But despite that, he grew, he changed, and he became a man full of love, wisdom, and redemption. And yet, when he finally became the person he was always meant to be, that same broken system failed him again. It refused to recognize his transformation, choosing vengeance over justice.Jessie was not defined by his worst moment. He was an incredible father to his son, a loyal friend, and the most amazing husband. He changed my life in ways I can never put into words, filling it with love, strength, and meaning. Our love was something rare and unbreakable, a bond that transcends this life. No matter where he is now, I know he is still with me, because love like ours doesn’t end—it only transforms.This execution was not justice. It was revenge. True justice recognizes growth, humanity, and redemption. Louisiana chose to ignore that.But Jessie’s legacy will not be forgotten. He will always be in my heart, and his story will live on through those who knew and loved him. To those who saw his light—his kindness, his transformation—I ask you to carry that forward. Jessie’s story does not end here. His love, his impact, and his memory will live on forever. It has been the greatest honor of my life to be his wife."
