Supreme Court, Governor Decline to Block Execution
The U.S. Supreme Court and Tennessee Governor Bill Lee declined to intervene Monday, clearing the way for the execution of Byron Black to proceed Tuesday morning—despite concerns over a still-functioning implanted defibrillator.
Black’s attorneys argue that the lethal injection could cause the device to repeatedly shock his heart, potentially leading to severe pain and a prolonged death. They contend that such a scenario would violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment, according to the Associated Press.
Black, 69, was convicted of the 1988 murders of his girlfriend Angela Clay and her two daughters, Lakeisha, 6, and Latoya, 9. He has been diagnosed with dementia and brain damage, and psychological evaluations have found his IQ to be below 70, the Nashville Banner reports.
Governor Lee declined to grant a reprieve, stating that courts have “universally determined that it is lawful to carry out the jury’s sentence of execution given to Mr. Black for the heinous murders.”
Court documents cited by CNN reveal that Tennessee lacks a medical professional willing or able to deactivate the implant ahead of the execution.
“I don’t want him to suffer. I do not want him tortured,” said Kelley Henry, one of Black’s attorneys.
About Post Author
