an execution overnight inialal is raising pertinent questions about how the death penalty is administered in this country. convicted killer ronald b. smith was among several death row inmates challenging the constitutionality of alabama's execution procedures. before he was put to death, a flurry of supreme court decisions delayed the execution until finally smith was executed by lethal injection last night. according to a number of witnesses, smith coughed and heaved for 15 minutes before dying. according to one person, kent faulk, the reporter for the alabama media group, kent, thank you for taking the time. i think it's important to mention the victim in this whole case because we know this man was convicted of the 1994 murder of casey wilson.