Summary
Tennessee executed Byron Black through lethal injection while his implanted defibrillator remained active, despite concerns it could cause additional pain. Black, who had multiple health issues, was involved in a legal battle over the deactivation of the device before his execution. His attorneys also tried, unsuccessfully, to argue that he was intellectually disabled and should not face the death penalty.
Key Facts
- Byron Black was executed in Tennessee by lethal injection while his defibrillator was still working.
- The defibrillator could potentially shock the heart; a court had initially ordered it to be deactivated.
- The state Supreme Court overturned the order, allowing the execution to proceed with the device active.
- Black had health issues, including dementia, kidney failure, and heart conditions.
- Black's final appeal was rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court, and the governor did not intervene.
- He was convicted for the 1988 shooting deaths of three people, including his girlfriend and her two daughters.
- Black's attorneys argued he was intellectually disabled, but courts previously ruled against reevaluating his case.
- This execution was Tennessee's second since May, following a five-year pause due to COVID-19 and other issues.
