Lee: No Pause or Protocol Review Following Failed Execution - Articles

All Content


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jul 10, 2026

Gov. Bill Lee has said that he will not pursue a pause or moratorium on executions in the state, or order a review of the current execution protocol following the failed execution attempt of death row inmate Tony Carruthers. According to WPLN, Lee told a group of reporters in Knoxville this week that the protocol was “carried out appropriately” and “the Department of Correction did exactly what they were supposed to.” Actions News 5 has reaction to that decision from Carruthers’ attorneys. Lee’s decision comes after the ACLU called for a pause in executions, a number of death row inmates are seeking reprieves and Republican state senators have asked for an investigation into the attempted execution of Carruthers.