NASHVILLE — Tennessee is set to carry out the execution of Anthony Darrell Hines on Aug. 13, 2026, nearly four decades after he was convicted in the 1985 killing of a motel housekeeper. But defense lawyers and some state lawmakers are pressing for further review of the state’s execution practices after a May attempt to put another inmate to death was halted when medical staff could not obtain intravenous access.
New legal filings focus on execution procedures
Hines’ attorneys have asked a judge to postpone the upcoming execution while the court examines whether Tennessee’s Department of Correction (TDOC) can demonstrate that it will follow safe and lawful procedures. Central to the request is the question of who will perform key medical tasks — specifically the placement of intravenous lines — and whether that individual is properly qualified.
"They hired an unqualified physician to perform the duties under the 2025 protocol before, and we have no reason to believe that they wouldn't do so again,"
said defense attorney Kit Thomas in court filings, arguing the state has not answered questions raised by the failed May attempt to execute Tony Carruthers. Court records referenced by the defense indicate the physician who was present during the Carruthers proceeding had not placed a central line since 2013, and witnesses in the execution chamber described that physician seeking others with jugular access experience.
Lawmakers seek independent review
A group of Republican legislators — nine state senators and Rep. Jody Barrett of Dickson — sent a letter to Gov. Bill Lee requesting an independent review before Tennessee proceeds with another execution. While the lawmakers stated they continue to support the death penalty, they wrote that the events in May warrant additional oversight.
State officials defend the protocol
Gov. Lee and TDOC officials have maintained the department followed established procedures during the halted Carruthers execution. The governor has said the decision to stop that execution was his, made after medical staff could not obtain venous access. TDOC has cited the state’s execution secrecy law in declining to disclose certain information about personnel involved in executions, a stance that defense counsel say prevents meaningful review.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Murder of Katherine Jean Jenkins |
| May 2026 | Execution attempt of Tony Carruthers halted after IV access problems |
| Aug. 13, 2026 | Scheduled execution date for Anthony Darrell Hines |
What this means locally
The legal maneuvering could delay Hines’ execution and prompt broader scrutiny of how Tennessee manages capital punishment. For family members of victims and for the public, the proceedings raise questions about transparency, competence and the standards used to select medical personnel for these events.
- Defense attorneys seek a delay while demanding disclosure about the medical personnel involved.
- TDOC cites the execution secrecy statute in refusing to reveal certain information.
- Some Republican lawmakers are asking Gov. Bill Lee for an independent review despite supporting the death penalty.
The coming weeks are likely to bring court hearings that will decide whether the state can proceed on the current schedule or whether additional oversight or procedural changes will be required. Coverage will continue as filings and court rulings are made public.
Ruby Callahan is the Tennessee correspondent for News Block.
