Tennessee is moving forward with executing a man on death row next week, despite concerns that a heart implant may prolong his death or worsen his pain.
On Thursday, the Tennessee Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that had mandated that Byron Black’s heart implant be deactivated so that the device couldn’t try to revive him during his execution.
Black’s Aug. 5 execution might have been delayed under the lower court ruling, since Nashville General Hospital, which had managed Black’s implant, refused to disable it. However, the state supreme court ruled that Black can be executed with the device still intact, arguing that the Davidson County Chancery Court did not have the authority to create rules that could effectively delay the execution.
The ruling came hours after faith leaders in Nashville asked Gov. Bill Lee to stop the execution. Christians and Muslims across the political spectrum met at American Baptist College on Thursday afternoon to advocate for clemency.
Black, who has an intellectual disability, was convicted of murdering his girlfriend and her daughters in 1989. Since then, Tennessee has banned executing people with intellectual disabilities.
“So, if this is the standing of our state, of our government, why shouldn’t it apply to Mr. Byron Black?” said Imam Hamid Abdullah. “Allah forgives all sin. So, to our governor, we ask you to show mercy.”
Black is the second death row inmate scheduled for execution since the state paused the practice over concerns that the drugs it used could make for a more painful death.
Nashville Rev. Davie Tucker said that Black’s only hope is clemency from the governor.
“Gov. Lee has this opportunity. I’m not sure he has the courage,” Tucker said. “It may be legal, but it ain’t right.”
The state faces other logistical hurdles in Black’s case, but his execution is still scheduled for Tuesday.
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