Bill Lee: “We can't afford to let this happen. We can't afford to lose the brain power.”

Carrying out a lawfully imposed sentence is among the State’s most serious responsibilities, and the people of Tennessee expect it to be done in a manner that is not only legal and constitutional, but is effective.

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.

So far as we know, the Department of Correction followed exactly the protocol that was outlined and vetted and approved by the attorney general’s office.

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