Introduction: Exploring Witnessing Executions

In the June 16, 2025 episode of Fresh Air, hosted by Tanya Mosley, journalist Elizabeth Bruinick delves into the harrowing experience of witnessing executions in America's prisons. Bruinick, a staff writer at The Atlantic, shares her profound journey from a media witness to a personal witness, offering an intimate look at the death penalty's moral and emotional implications.

Becoming a Witness: Paths to the Execution Chamber

Bruinick explains the three primary ways individuals can witness executions: as media witnesses, victims' family members, or personal witnesses connected to the offender. She states, “There are three ways to witness executions... media witness, victim's family, and personal witness” (02:00). Her transition from a media witness to a personal witness in Alabama highlights the evolving nature of her involvement and opposition to capital punishment.

From Media to Personal Witness: A Moral Transformation

Initially supportive of the death penalty, Bruinick's perspective shifted after her first execution witnessing. She recounts, “As I began to grow, my instincts about the death penalty changed” (04:35). This transformation was further influenced by her personal tragedy—her sister-in-law Heather's brutal murder in 2016—which deepened her understanding of loss and justice.

First Execution: A Sobering Encounter

Bruinick describes her first execution experience at Terre Haute Prison, Indiana, where she witnessed Alfredo Bourgeois's lethal injection. Contrary to her initial belief that lethal injections are peaceful, she observed distressing reactions: “I only realized that the poison was flowing when he started sort of jerking and heaving and dying... it did not appear that way” (07:50). This experience marked a significant turning point in her stance against the death penalty.

Personal Tragedy: Heather's Murder and Shifting Views on Justice

The tragic murder of Heather, Bruinick's sister-in-law, profoundly impacted her views on justice and retribution. She reflects, “Nothing can ever heal what's lost in a murder” (08:24), exploring the complex emotions surrounding forgiveness and the desire for vengeance. This personal loss propelled her to seek a deeper understanding of sin, mercy, and redemption.

Forgiveness vs. Mercy: Navigating Moral Complexities

A central theme in Bruinick's narrative is the distinction between forgiveness and mercy. She explains, “Forgiveness is an affective thing... Mercy... means to elect to withhold the most serious punishment” (11:12). Drawing from her Catholic faith, Bruinick emphasizes that mercy doesn’t necessitate reconciliation but offers a political stance against the death penalty's finality.

Stories of Redemption: James Edward Barber's Transformation

Bruinick shares the poignant story of James Edward Barber, who, after a brutal murder in 2016, found solace and transformation through faith. His granddaughter's act of forgiveness, where she wrote, “I had to do it essentially for my own sake because I couldn't keep carrying the anger” (14:13), serves as a powerful testament to the potential for human resilience and redemption.

Humanizing Death Row: Acts of Kindness and Relationships

Contrary to her expectations, Bruinick observes that relationships between prison staff and inmates on death row often transcend antagonism. She notes, “These people actually get to know each other” (18:34), highlighting instances where guards develop friendships with inmates, providing mutual moral support amidst the grim proceedings.

Kenneth Eugene Smith: A Case of Botched Execution

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Kenneth Eugene Smith, the first person executed using nitrogen hypoxia. Bruinick recounts the botched execution where attempts to establish an IV line failed: “They stuck him multiple times all over the place with needles... he was in a great deal of pain” (24:20). This incident underscores the inherent flaws and unpredictability of execution methods.

Investigating Botched Executions: The Jonathan James Case

Bruinick investigates another botched execution involving Joe Nathan James Jr., revealing irregularities such as unnecessary incisions and prolonged suffering. She states, “There were incisions in his arm like someone had attempted to perform what is called a cut down” (33:58), questioning the state's execution protocols and transparency.

The Death Penalty in the Modern Era: Political and Social Dynamics

Discussing the broader context, Bruinick addresses the fluctuating political landscape surrounding the death penalty. She highlights President Trump's efforts to reinstate federal executions despite declining public support: “Public support is at its lowest point in 50 years” (39:05). This tension reflects the ongoing national debate over capital punishment's place in contemporary society.

Hope and Cynicism: Reflections on Human Nature and Justice

In concluding her reflections, Bruinick balances her cynicism with hope, drawing from Christian teachings and observing global trends towards abolition. She shares, “I also I'm just moved by human resilience and opportunities for, however small, redemption and forgiveness” (46:12), expressing optimism that societal attitudes towards the death penalty may continue to evolve towards more rehabilitative approaches.

Conclusion: A Call for Compassion and Reform

Elizabeth Bruinick's deeply personal and investigative journey presented on Fresh Air offers a compelling critique of America's death penalty system. Through firsthand accounts, moral introspection, and stories of redemption, the episode calls for a compassionate reevaluation of justice and punishment in the United States.

Notable Quotes:

• “There are three ways to witness executions... media witness, victim's family, and personal witness” — Elizabeth Bruinick (02:00)
• “As I began to grow, my instincts about the death penalty changed” — Elizabeth Bruinick (04:35)
• “I only realized that the poison was flowing when he started sort of jerking and heaving and dying... it did not appear that way” — Elizabeth Bruinick (07:50)
• “Nothing can ever heal what's lost in a murder” — Elizabeth Bruinick (08:24)
• “Forgiveness is an affective thing... Mercy... means to elect to withhold the most serious punishment” — Elizabeth Bruinick (11:12)
• “These people actually get to know each other” — Elizabeth Bruinick (18:34)
• “They stuck him multiple times all over the place with needles... he was in a great deal of pain” — Elizabeth Bruinick (24:20)
• “Public support is at its lowest point in 50 years” — Elizabeth Bruinick (39:05)
• “I also I'm just moved by human resilience and opportunities for, however small, redemption and forgiveness” — Elizabeth Bruinick (46:12)