We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (38) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A Washington Parish mother was arrested for the death of her 8-month-old infant child. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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We’re getting details of exactly what went on in the execution chamber as Jessie Hoffman was being put to death. WDSU-TV reporter Gina Swanson and New Orleans Times-Picayune and Advocate reporter John Simerman were the two media witnesses to last night’s execution. Simerman says the curtains were raised at 6:20 last night, and Hoffman was already strapped to the gurney with a gas mask covering his entire face and a gray plush blanket covering his body.

Cut 3 (09) “…shrugged it off.” 

After Hoffman declined to say any last words, the nitrogen gas started flowing at 6:21, and Swanson says involuntary body movements started a minute later.

Cut 4 (11) “…a little bit.”

Swanson says Hoffman’s body movements stopped a few minutes later.

Cut 5 (11) “…the right side”

Corrections officials said Hoffman flat-lined after 14 minutes; and as per protocol, they kept the nitrogen gas flowing for five more minutes. The curtain was lowered, and Swanson and Simerman could hear the spiritual advisor, who was in the execution chamber the entire time, performing Buddhist chants in accordance with ritual. After the chanting stopped, the curtain was raised again, and Hoffman’s mask was removed. Warden Darrell Vannoy then announced that Hoffman was pronounced dead at 6:50.

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A Washington Parish mother faces a first-degree murder charge after her 8-month-old infant died from severe injuries, including broken bones. The investigation began last Wednesday when the infant was brought to a hospital and later died from the injuries. Franklinton Police Chief Justin Brown says investigators questioned the mother, 24-year-old Autumn Harper.

Cut 6 (08) “…towards the child”

Brown described the case as “absolutely heartbreaking” and extended condolences to the family.

Cut 7 (07) “…the worst one I’ve seen”

Brown believes mental health issues with Harper played a significant role in the case, and hopes to prevent cases like this in the future.

Cut 8 (12) “…and says something.”

Harper is being held in Washington Parish Jail awaiting bond.

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In an interview on Talk 107-3 in Baton Rouge, Governor Jeff Landry predicts his administration will announce 50-billion dollars in private investment in large projects by June 1^st. Landry says the state has recorded a couple of big economic wins in recent months, an 18-billion dollar expansion of an LNG plant in Plaquemines Parish and the 10-billion dollar artificial data center that Meta is building in Richland Parish…

Cut 9 (08)  “…to expand.”

Landry says he’s on the verge of a couple of other big announcements…

Cut 10 (08) “…as well.”

Landry is hopeful these economic development wins, and the passage of Constitutional Amendment Two on the March 29^th ballot will lead to population growth. Between 2023 to 2024 the state saw its first population increase since 2020, but only an increase of about 10-thousand people.

Landry who lost his Congressional just over ten years ago because of population decline, wants to see an explosion in population growth that will give Louisiana seven Congressional districts again

Cut 11 (07) “…than Jeff Landry.”

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McNeese State men’s basketball coach Will Wade will reportedly leave Lake Charles to be the next head coach at North Carolina State. Multiple reports say Wade has accepted the head coaching job. At a press conference today in Providence, Rhode Island, the site of the Cowboys first round NCAA Tournament, Wade was asked about the rumors involving him and N-C State…

Cut 12 (10) “…Yes.”

Wade has won 57 games and two Southland Conference Championships at McNeese over the last two seasons. He’s led the Cowboys to the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons. The former LSU coach says he’s been transparent with his players about his future…

Cut 13 (07)  “…with everything.”

While Wade admitted that he spoke to North Carolina State, he would not say whether he’ll be the new head coach of the Wolfpack. The Cowboys face Clemson tomorrow afternoon in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Governor Jeff Landry says he will not stand in the way of Jessie Hoffman’s scheduled execution.  Sean Richardson reports it will be Louisiana’s first execution of a death row inmate in 15 years…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Jessie Hoffman’s lawyers are continuing the fight up until the very end. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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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…

Cut 3 (12) “…quite some time.” 

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…

Cut 4 (07) “…that 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…

Cut 5 (05) “…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.

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Jessie Hoffman’s loved ones are bracing for the moment that he’s executed. Hoffman’s brother, Marvin Fields, says his brother is very remorseful for what he did to Molly Elliott in 1996.

Cut 6 (06) “…can’t take back”

Fields says his brother deserves an opportunity to atone for what he did.

Cut 7 (08) “…people can change”

While Hoffman was only 18 when he killed Elliott, he did father a child beforehand. Jessie Smith is his son and says he didn’t get the opportunity to grow up with his father. Smith said he would be devastated if his father is put to death.

Cut 8 (04) “…start over again.”

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The state epidemiologist is urging you to make sure you’re vaccinated against whooping cough. Louisiana is seeing a large number of whooping cough cases – in fact, two infants have died in the last six months. State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the symptoms start off so mild that one might not initially suspect anything serious.

Cut 9 (13)  “…for whooping cough.”

Sokol says whooping cough is very serious and can be potentially deadly.

Cut 10 (07) “…these coughing fits.”

Sokol says while whooping cough can affect anyone, young kids, including infants, are at the biggest risk for severe symptoms.

Cut 11 (09) “…during each pregnancy.”

Sokol says the complications are the most severe among infants; in fact, 30-percent of infants who become infected with whooping cough end up having to go into the hospital, with one in 100 likely to die of the disease.

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Councilman Oliver Thomas has thrown his hat in the New Orleans Mayoral race.  University of New Orleans Political Scientist Dr. Edward Chervenak says Thomas is the third announced candidate. New Orleans City Council President Helena Moreno and Former Orleans Parish Judge Arthur Hunter are the other two. Chervenak says Thomas is well liked as he’s serving for a third time on the city council…

Cut 12 (08) “…might be.”

Thomas pleaded guilty in 2007 to accepting a bribe from a businessman while he was a city council member and served two years in a federal prison.  Chervenak says Thomas has expressed remorse and taken responsibility for his actions.

Cut 13 (10)  “…be as forgiving.”

Thomas represents District E, which is New Orleans East. Chervenak says Thomas will talk about the reduction of crime in New Orleans East and the transformation of the old Six Flags site.

Cut 14 (09) “..as a whole.”