TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jul 2, 2026

Eight Republican senators are calling on Gov. Bill Lee to conduct an independent review of the failed execution attempt of death row inmate Tony Carruthers before the state carries out another death sentence. “We write as members of the Tennessee Senate who firmly support the death penalty, to express our serious concern over the failed execution of Tony Von Carruthers on May 21, 2026, and to call for full transparency and accountability from the Department of Correction,” the letter reads according to WPLN. The letter also asks Lee to correct any issues before the next execution on Aug. 13. The move comes after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called on Lee to pause all executions by lethal injection.