Key facts
- Tennessee plans to execute Darrell Hines on Thursday for a 1985 murder.
- Hines's lawyers are seeking intervention from the US Supreme Court due to concerns over botched executions.
- A previous lethal injection attempt for Tony Carruthers in May was canceled after over an hour of failed IV access.
- Hines's attorneys argue his physical condition poses challenges for establishing IV access.
- Concerns exist regarding the qualifications of staff involved in Tennessee's executions and the drugs used.
- Governor Bill Lee has not paused executions and denied Hines's clemency request.
Tennessee is scheduled to execute Darrell Hines on Thursday, a man convicted of a 1985 murder, despite significant concerns following a botched lethal injection attempt on another inmate in May. Hines's legal team is appealing to the US Supreme Court, arguing that his physical condition could lead to a similarly agonizing and prolonged execution.
In May, Tony Carruthers's execution was halted after an IV team spent over an hour attempting to establish an IV line, piercing him multiple times and causing him to groan in pain. His attorney described him as being in shock and pain afterward. Hines, 66, is described as very thin with muscular atrophy and stiffness, factors that could complicate IV access.
Attorneys have raised concerns about the secrecy surrounding Tennessee's execution procedures and the qualifications of personnel involved. Dr. Mark Fowler, a physician involved in Carruthers's execution, stated his last central IV line placement was in 2013. The Tennessee Supreme Court denied Hines's request to confirm if Fowler would participate in his execution.
Further scrutiny has been placed on Frank Strada, who oversees executions for Tennessee's corrections department. His prior tenure in Arizona was reportedly marked by prolonged IV access issues during executions. Nine Republican state senators in Tennessee have urged an independent review of the botched execution, questioning staff qualifications and drug efficacy.
Governor Bill Lee has maintained his stance against pausing executions and denied Hines's clemency petition. Hines's lawyers have also questioned Tennessee officials about the quality and storage of the execution drugs, but have not received a response. The state has not commented on the specific concerns raised by Hines's legal team.