After the state of Tennessee failed in its attempt to execute Tony Carruthers last month, defense attorneys were in a mad dash to preserve evidence. Tennessee Department of Correction staff and medical contractors had tried to establish an IV into Carruthers’ arms — and, when that failed, a doctor tried twice to cut into his […]
Tennessee fails to execute Tony Carruthers after IV difficulties. State won’t try again for a year
Tennessee officials have called off the lethal injection of Tony Carruthers, who was convicted of kidnapping and murdering three people in 1994, after his executioners tried and failed for over an hour to establish an intravenous line. Gov. Bill Lee says the state will not try again for at least a year.
Ahead of Tennessee execution, advocates push for DNA testing and commutation
Tennessee is scheduled to execute Tony Carruthers, but advocates want untested DNA samples examined first.
Tennessee judge grants expanded media access to state-run executions
A judge has ruled that Tennessee prison officials must grant expanded access to media members to view state-run executions. The ruling Friday comes after a coalition of news organizations sued on claims that state execution protocols unconstitutionally limit thorough and accurate reporting.
Judge orders release of Tennessee execution records
A court ordered the Tennessee Department of Correction to release a cache of execution records, but it’s unclear whether the agency will have to comply.
Death penalty activists sit down in our studio — one for, one against
On days when someone is executed at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, community members are generally allowed to gather outside the prison in a large field. Separated by fences and distance are the “against” and “for” sides. The “againsts” are usually made up of a few dozen clergy and abolitionists, including one of our […]
Lisette Monroe lost her beloved sister to murder. She hopes an execution will bring some peace
Lisette Monroe was a 23-year-old new mother in 1988 when she lost her beloved little sister in the most horrific way possible. Karen Pulley was raped and murdered. The man who did it is scheduled to be executed.
Tennessee law protects lethal drug seller identities. A judge will decide how broad that secrecy is.
Tennessee is set to execute Harold Wayne Nichols. His attorneys want to confirm the state’s lethal injection drugs are safe.
On Air - 90.3 WPLN-FM