PAUL PIAZZA LOUISIANA GULFF PEELED SHRIMP 1 LB 31-40 COUNT
$5
99
FOOD CLUB CHUNK LIGHT TUNA
$2
59¢
9-17 OZ
EA
99
5 OZ
EA
FRENCH MARKET BAGGED OR CANNED COFFEE
METAIRIE 504-885-5565 | RIVER RIDGE 504-737-8146 GARDEN DISTRICT 504-262-6017 | CHALMETTE 504-262-0750 BELLE CHASSE 504-393-1012
$499
|
Jessie Hoffman Jr. sentenced to death for 1996 rape, murder
99¢
EA
W e d n e s d ay, M a r c h 19, 2025
It is the first execution in Louisiana since 2010
EA
AMBROSIA, FUJI OR RED APPLES
11-16 OZ
PRICES VALID 3/19/25 - 3/25/25
N O L A.C O M
NABISCO SALTINE CRACKERS
LB
$2.00X
Nitrogen gas used for first time in death chamber at Angola
LA. EXECUTES INMATE After last-minute legal challenges failed, Hoffman died at 6:50 p.m. Tuesday
BY JAMES FINN and JOHN SIMERMAN
Staff writers
Louisiana executed a man convicted of murder with nitrogen gas on Tuesday evening — the state’s first execution in 15 years and its first using the largely untested method — after a raging legal battle that ended with a gas mask strapped over his face in the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola death chamber. State officials pronounced Jessie Hoffman Jr. dead at 6:50 p.m. Tuesday at Angola. He inhaled pure nitrogen gas through a mask strapped to his face for 19 minutes while pinned to a gurney, officials Hoffman said, until oxygen deprivation caused him to die. Officials acknowledged that Hoffman showed “convulsive activity” as he died and that he moved and shook. Hoffman was on death row for the 1996 abduction, rape and execution-style slaying of 28-year-old Mary “Molly” Elliott in rural St. Tammany Parish. Hoffman declined to give a final statement or to eat a final meal at Angola, state officials said in a briefing after the execution. As Hoffman was executed, most of his body was covered
ä See EXECUTES, page 8A
STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
Faith leaders, activists and supporters of Jessie Hoffman Jr. hug outside the entrance to the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola moments after hearing that Hoffman was executed on Tuesday.
Friends, family gather at vigil outside Angola Speeches, prayers offered for Hoffman and his victim
STAFF PHOTO By JAMES FINN
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott, right, holds up a photo of murder victim Mary ‘Molly’ Elliott while Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murill speaks at a news conference after the execution Tuesday of Jessie Hoffman Jr.
on death row and director of Louisiana InterFaith against Executions. “For how we know deep in the marrow of our bones that we are all better than the worst thing that we’ve ever done.” Hoffman’s younger sister, Florence Ruffin, was among those who joined the BY HALEY MILLER vigil. After visiting her brother for the Staff writer final time at Angola, she staggered out Around 50 friends, family members of the prison, falling into the arms of a and supporters of Jessie Hoffman Jr. friend who waited for her at the vigil gathered outside the Louisiana State site. Ruffin carried a brown paper sack full Penitentiary at Angola on a warm and breezy Tuesday evening to pray for him of candy, the last gift from her brother. “Jessie Hoffman,” it read on the outand commemorate his life as the state put him to death. side in thick marker. “8 Blowpops. 2 “Jessie will always be remembered Skittles.” as a reason for why we do this work,” As the vigil began, she sat under an said Alison McCrary, spiritual adviser oak tree with the paper bag at her side.
She rolled it up, placed it like a pillow beneath her head and laid back on the grass. Those at the vigil showed support for Hoffman and his family as well as the victim in his case, Mary “Molly” Elliott, and her family. Hoffman was convicted in the abduction, rape and murder of Elliott in 1996. Anti-death penalty advocates and representatives from many faiths — including Christianity, Buddhism and Judaism — gave speeches to the vigil crowd, calling for an end to executions in Louisiana and wishing Hoffman peace at the moment of death. “May this flame remind us that no life
ä See VIGIL, page 11A
Thomas enters New Orleans mayor race Veteran N.O. council member targets high cost of living
New Orleans City Council four years ago and has since touted increased investment and diminished crime in his district, is running for mayor. Thomas in a prepared video Tuesday said he was jumping in BY JAMES FINN the race to confront the high cost Staff writer of living and lack of economic opOliver Thomas, a political vet- portunity bemoaned by many New eran who overcame a corruption Orleanians. And he said he was scandal to win a third term on the running to better involve residents
WEATHER HIGH 79 LOW 51 PAGE 8B
in the decisions made by their elected leaders. “This is not the New Orleans we grew up in,” Thomas said. “It’s becoming the town of the haves and have-nots. … This city deserves renewal. We need a comeback, and nobody understands that better than me.” His long-anticipated announcement injects a fresh dose of competition into the contest to succeed
Mayor LaToya Cantrell this fall. Thomas presents the most formidable opposition yet to Helena Moreno, his council colleague who announced her own mayoral bid in December, has amassed a nearly million-dollar war chest and has thus far faced few opponents with robust political resumes. “Thomas’ entry intensifies the
ä See THOMAS, page 7A Oliver Thomas
Business ...................10A Commentary ................7B Nation-World ................2A Classified .....................9D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................6B Comics-Puzzles .....5D-8D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
12TH yEAR, NO. 219