A second person on death row is suing the state of Tennessee for potentially infringing on his religious rights.
John Michael Bane, who has been sentenced to death, and his priest, Rev. Dr. Jeff Hood, are suing after the state denied Bane the ability to make a confidential confession.
People on death row are only able to speak with clergy on recorded lines. The state keeps the recordings — and law enforcement could potentially release them if requested. The lawsuit alleges that this policy violates Banes’ freedom of speech and equal protection.
“There is not one square foot in that building where a man can say out loud to a priest the worst thing he has ever done,” Rev. Hood said. “Tennessee has not restricted the sacrament of confession. Tennessee has abolished it.”
Bane, whose execution date is not yet set, is the second person on death row this year to sue the state over religious rights.
In January, Christa Pike sued, arguing that the state’s policy violates her Buddhist faith. By challenging the state’s current execution protocols, she has been offered a choice in an alternative method of execution. Pike argues the state is requiring she go against her own religious beliefs by making her participate in the process of her own death.
Pike also takes issue with being denied access to her Buddhist advisor during the last 12 hours of her life.
She is scheduled to be executed in September.
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