Bill Lee: “I will seek an independent investigation and pause all executions for the rest of 2026.”

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.

There are a lot of questions.

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

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