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.
Tennessee executes Oscar Smith, ending pause on lethal injections
The state of Tennessee executed Oscar Franklin Smith Thursday morning. It was the first lethal injection since 2019, and comes on the heels of a third-party investigation into the state’s protocol that found failures in testing the drugs used during executions.
The long-term impact of violent loss: Reflecting on the crimes and execution of Oscar Smith
Casey Smith was just under 3 years old when he lost his mom Judith Robirds Smith and two half brothers, Chad and Jason Burnett. His father, Oscar Franklin Smith, is scheduled to be executed Thursday morning for the 1989 murders. It would be Tennessee’s first execution by lethal injection since 2019.
Gov. Lee denies reprieve, ensuring executions by lethal injection amid legal challenge
Tennessee will execute Oscar Franklin Smith this week while a lawsuit challenging the state’s new lethal injection protocol makes its way through the court system.
Families of murder victims ask governor to hold off on Tennessee’s executions
Tennessee is scheduled to resume executions this month, and some victims’ rights advocates are arguing there are better ways to spend state money — and asking Gov. Bill Lee for a reprieve.
Death row lawyers ask governor for another execution moratorium while courts review protocol
Attorneys for nine death row inmates argue the state’s new lethal injection protocol contains even fewer protections than the plan found deficient in 2022.
Executions on pause in Tennessee after governor calls for independent review of lethal injections
Executions are on hold in Tennessee while a former U.S. Attorney is brought in to review the protocol that stopped a lethal injection late last month.
Anti-death penalty protesters march, invoke the words of Jesus ahead of Oscar Smith’s execution
Common Hymnal kicked off the fourth March4Mercy on Easter Sunday with a piece about “about the dignity of life — what they love and what they fight for.”
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