TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jul 17, 2025

Testimony continued into a second day on what impact death row inmate Byron Black’s cardioverter-defibrillator will have once pentobarbital is administered to him during his Aug. 5 execution. On Wednesday, the state made its case. Two expert witnesses testified that the device will not cause additional pain. Both were in direct opposition to Monday’s testimony from witness who asserted the pentobarbital will cause the device to repeatedly shock Black. Davidson County Chancellor Russell Perkins has said a ruling can be expected by Friday. The Nashville Banner reports on the proceeding in its latest newsletter.