Bill Lee: “I want to thank you very much for this.”

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.

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

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.

It’s exactly why we will have a thorough, comprehensive review of what happened, so that we can know the answers that so many people want.