Tony Carruthers’ execution in Tennessee was called off after more than an hour of failed attempts to administer lethal injection, sparking renewed debate about the state’s death penalty procedures.
Tennessee Execution Halted After Failed Attempt on Tony Carruthers
Carruthers, who was on death row for a triple murder in Memphis in 1994, was strapped to the execution gurney on May 21 when officials struggled to find a vein.
Medical staff attempted access in his arms, shoulders, feet, chest, and even the jugular, according to witnesses. Carruthers reportedly bled and moaned during the ordeal. The execution was eventually called off, and Gov. Bill Lee granted a one-year reprieve.
Background on Carruthers’ Case
Carruthers was convicted of killing three people as part of a plan to take over a local drug operation. Two victims were shot, and one innocent housewife was buried alive. His attorneys have argued that forensic testing and fingerprint evidence could potentially exonerate him, with public figures such as Kim Kardashian calling for a stay of execution.
Details of the Failed Execution
Witnesses said medical staff first accessed one vein quickly, but attempts to find a second vein caused extreme physical distress. Carruthers was reportedly pale, sweating, and in agony while a central line was inserted into his chest.
Multiple failed attempts led to the warden calling off the execution. Maria DeLiberato, senior counsel at the ACLU’s Capital Punishment Project, said Carruthers remains emotionally distressed.
Calls for a Moratorium
Defense attorneys are calling for Tennessee to pause all executions until a federal lawsuit over its lethal injection protocol is resolved. The lawsuit, filed in March 2025, challenges the use of pentobarbital, warning that it can prolong executions and cause extreme suffering. Attorneys say Carruthers’ case demonstrates ongoing risks with the current system, including undertrained personnel and procedural errors.
Amy Harwell, a federal public defender, described the execution as “over an hour and a half of torture” as staff repeatedly tried to place an IV line. DeLiberato said an independent medical evaluation is needed to assess Carruthers’ physical and emotional well-being.
Upcoming Executions in Tennessee
Despite the failed execution, Tennessee has at least three executions scheduled this year:
- Anthony Hines on Aug. 13 for the 1985 murder of Katherine Jean Jenkins
- Christa Pike on Sept. 30, who would be the first woman executed in Tennessee in over 200 years, for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer
- Gary Wayne Sutton on Dec. 3 for the 1992 murder of Tommy Griffin
Attorneys for Pike and Sutton say Carruthers’ failed execution raises serious concerns for their clients and are urging a halt to all upcoming executions.
State Response
Tennessee officials, including the governor’s office and the Department of Correction, have not provided public comment regarding changes to upcoming executions. For now, the scheduled executions remain on the calendar.
The Carruthers incident has intensified discussions about the death penalty in Tennessee, highlighting the risks of lethal injection, the potential for extreme suffering, and the ongoing debate over whether the state can safely carry out capital punishment.
