Tony Carruthers’ execution called off. Gov. Lee grants 1-year reprieve.

The execution of Tony Carruthers in Tennessee — scheduled for Thursday, May 21 — has been called off after the execution team was unable to establish backup venous access pursuant with the state’s protocol for lethal injection.

The medical personnel established a primary IV line; however, they failed to establish a backup line pursuant to protocol. The team could not find another suitable vein and attempted to insert a central line. The procedure was unsuccessful and was stopped after over an hour.

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, responded to the news saying: “Tony Carruthers’ botched execution reminds us that every execution – regardless of the method or the procedures that take place – is a barbaric act that disregards the sanctity of life. We must ask ourselves: to what lengths will the state go to seek revenge?”

“As new execution methods are authorized,” she continued, “musings about the most “humane” methods to kill rise to the surface. There is no way around that fact that executions debase our aims to seek real justice and must be stopped altogether. “

“In the grim circumstances of the attempted execution today, we celebrate that Mr. Carruthers’ life is indeed his to live for another day. A light shines in the murky darkness. Praise God that Governor Bill Lee granted Mr. Carruthers a reprieve, ensuring that the state cannot seek another execution date within the year,” Vaillancourt Murphy concluded.

Tony Carruthers was sentenced to death for the 1994 murders of Marcellos Anderson, Frederick Tucker, and Delois Anderson. His case, however, raised many questions regarding the testimony, lack of evidence, and legal procedure.

Tony was convicted without physical evidence but based on testimony that was paid for by the state and has since been recanted. The state denied this reality for decades and withheld critical information. Tony’s mental instability also led to several instances of him terminating appointed counsel. Ultimately, Tony was forced to defend himself in a trial that was riddled with so many mistakes that his co-defendent was granted a new trial. The co-defendant was resentenced to 27 years in prison while Tony remained under a death sentence.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called off the execution, stating: “I am granting Tony Von Carruthers a temporary reprieve from execution for one year.”