Tennessee ‘closer’ to resuming executions after more than two-year pause

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Governor Bill Lee said he suspects the state is “closer than further” from having a new death penalty protocol in place, which is required before Tennessee can resume executions amid a two-year pause.

In April 2022, Gov. Lee ordered all executions be paused in TN after discovering the state wasn’t testing the lethal injection drugs as required in its own protocol, among other problems. Lee then tasked the TN Dept. of Correction and other organizations with developing a new death penalty protocol before the state could resume executions. Lee didn’t give the department a deadline to complete the protocol.

“I’ve told the department take all the time you need to develop this thing exactly as it should be because it matters very much to Tennesseans,” Lee said in Jan. 2024.

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Since then, News 2 has repeatedly followed up with the state on the progress of developing the new death penalty protocol.

“It’s a long process, but what I would add to that is we’re not going to take a single shortcut,” Lee told News 2 in Sept. 2023 . “There is no reason to speed this process up when we have to get it exactly right.”

Last Thursday, Lee told News 2’s Knoxville sister station, WATE, the state was “closer than further” from having the death penalty protocol prepared.

“I think it’s important that we move as quickly as we can, but take as long as we need to to make sure we get it right,” Lee said. “I’ve tasked our team with getting a protocol in place. This has to be done, it’s the law of our state, we need to be in a position to fulfill that law, but as you know, if you don’t have the correct protocols in place then the outcomes are not what any of us wants in this state,” he continued. “There has been extensive work on it, continuing to work with the Attorney General’s office, the Department of Correction. I suspect that we are closer than further from having a protocol in place and we’ll be allowed to continue that process.”

Meanwhile, executions by lethal injection are underway in nearby states.

Last Thursday, the state of Florida executed inmate, Loran Cole, by lethal injection for the 1994 murder of Florida State University student, John Edwards, and the sexual assault of his older sister.

South Carolina is preparing to carry out its first execution in more than 13 years after a shortage of the lethal injection drug delayed death proceedings in the state. Last Wednesday, S.C. Dept. of Corrections director, Bryan Stirling said the state’s electric chair, firing squad, and supply of the lethal injection are acceptable and available for inmate, Freddie Owens’ scheduled execution date of Sept. 20th.

The TN Dept. of Correction issued the following statement to News 2 regarding its development of a new death penalty protocol:

“The Tennessee Department of Correction is in the process of developing a lethal injection protocol that ensures lawful and effective procedures.”

Tennessee currently has 46 inmates on death row. Sean Finnegan became the newest inmate to join death row this past August when a jury sentenced him to death for the 2019 rape, torture, and murder of Jennifer Paxton in Oak Ridge.

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Victims’ family members, like Lisa Baker, widow of Dickson County Sgt. Daniel Baker who was shot and killed by Steven Wiggins in 2018, are left waiting for justice due to the indefinite pause on executions.

Baker issued the following statement to News 2:

“It is my understanding that Governor Lee halted all executions in the state of Tennessee in order to make changes in the protocols regarding execution standards. I support Governor Lee and his efforts to see that things are carried out correctly, and that a certain standard should be upheld. However, as a victim of one of the inmates currently on death row it is disheartening, and concerning that this too cannot be completed in a timely fashion. I don’t pretend to know everything about our judicial system and I certainly don’t know everything that goes on within our government, but it does make me wonder when do victims rights come into play? All the delays and court proceedings and protocol changes always seem to be in the favor of the accused and convicted. Who is overseeing the protocol for victims rights? Who is ensuring that we aren’t being mistreated or tossed aside? Is there someone making sure that we get justice in a timely manner?

It seems backwards to me that our judicial system goes above and beyond to ensure that those who have broken laws, been convicted, and have no regard for being productive citizens for the State of Tennessee get all the entitlements? What do the victims get? A seat in the courtroom for a first-hand view of what seems to be an endless, uphill battle?

Every night I pray for peace, Every morning I pray for the strength to carry the weight of the loss of husband, and everyday I strive to provide proof to my daughter that there is still good in this world.

I trust that Governor Lee has not forgotten us and that all is coming together for the greater good.”

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