Tennessee’s highest court says the state can execute Byron Black without deprogramming a heart implant. It’s a tension that has intensified because of ethical codes in medicine.
Tennessee can execute man despite medical complications, state supreme court rules
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.
Nashville General Hospital won’t disable death row inmate’s implant, contradicting state’s account in court
Nashville General Hospital says it never agreed to deactivate a death row inmate’s device, raising a new question before the scheduled execution of Byron Black.
What to know about Tennessee’s scheduled execution of Byron Black
There are several unknowns about Byron Black’s scheduled execution — including about his developmental disability and the ongoing legal fight about his heart defibrillator implant.
TDOC pushback on execution court order amounts to ‘passive aggression,’ judge says
It appeared the intense debate was over when a judge ordered the Tennessee Department of Correction to disable a death row inmate’s heart implant before his execution. But now, the department is arguing it can’t comply.
A heart implant could make Tennessee’s next execution painful and prolonged. Prison officials argue they don’t have to disable the device.
Tennessee’s next execution is scheduled for Aug. 5, and this time, there are even stronger fears about the death becoming torturous.
Attorneys want to delay Tennessee’s next execution, citing mental competency concerns
Tennessee is scheduled to execute Byron Black in August. His attorneys argue his death should be delayed and his sentence reconsidered, citing his intellectual disability, progressive dementia and brain damage.
Tennessee scheduled to execute at least two more death row inmates this year
Tennessee has resumed executions after years of COVID-19 delays and administrative pauses, and three more are scheduled this year.
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