Bill Lee: “Gun violence disproportionately impacts communities of color, people of color.”

It’s a tragedy, and it’s deeply disturbing that that has happened in this state. The people deserve better than that.

I have ordered a pause on all executions for the remainder of the year.

I hope that Tennessee governor Bill Lee’s decision to postpone the last execution scheduled for this year will give lawmakers time to consider the subject seriously.

The people of Tennessee have determined that the death penalty is the appropriate penalty for the most heinous crimes in the state.