Gov. Bill Lee is again tapping former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton to lead an investigation into Tennessee’s execution protocols.
Tennessee correction commissioner steps down after failed execution
The architect of Tennessee’s new lethal injection protocols is stepping down as leader of the Department of Correction after a second failed execution this year.
Pike’s team says they predicted complications with her execution
Christa Pike’s legal team argued this summer that her health conditions could make her execution painful and difficult.
Tennessee Democrats call on the GOP to fix state executions
Christa Pike’s botched execution has sparked calls to reform the state’s execution protocols.
Blackburn calls to ‘bring back electric chair’ after Tennessee’s second failed execution
U.S. Senator and Tennessee governor hopeful Marsha Blackburn is calling for the state to use the electric chair for executions.
Gov. Lee halts execution, orders third-party review following Pike’s failed lethal injection
Tennessee’s governor is ordering a comprehensive review of Tennessee’s second botched execution this year.
After moratorium, Tennessee executes Oscar Franklin Smith
Tennessee put a hold on executions in 2022 due to concerns about its lethal injection protocol. This morning, the state resumed executions, using lethal injection to put to death Oscar Franklin Smith.
Timeline: Lethal injection in Tennessee
Tennessee resumed lethal injections in May 2025. That began the latest chapter in a back-and-forth that’s lasted 25 years between the Tennessee Department of Correction and lawyers, advocates, and governors who have questioned the constitutionality of the state’s execution protocols.
Paul House, who spent two decades on Tennessee’s death row before he was freed, has died
Attorney Emily Elison says he died on March 22 of complications from pneumonia after living for years with multiple sclerosis. He was 63.








