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Next person set for execution in Tenn. asks state Supreme Court to replace doctor from failed lethal injection
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Holly Lehren , NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate)
· July 20, 2026
· 2 min read
Attorneys for death row inmate Darrell Hines are asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to block his Aug. 13 execution unless the state replaces a physician involved in Tennessees failed attempt to execute Tony Carruthers. The motion filed Monday asks the court to require the Tennessee Department of ...
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Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Holly Lehren, NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 20, 2026 Indexed here Jul 20, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway Fowler said in a 2025 deposition that he had not placed a central line since about 2013, according to the Nashville Banner.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The request to block Darrell Hines' execution unless a new physician is appointed has significant implications for the Tennessee Department of Correction's handling of capital punishment cases. Given the failed attempt to execute Tony Carruthers, the state's use of Dr. Mark Fowler, who has not placed a central line since 2013, raises concerns about the department's preparedness to carry out executions humanely. Hines' health issues, including paralysis and significant muscle atrophy, increase the risk of another botched procedure, making it crucial for the state to ensure that a qualified physician is involved. The Davidson County Chancery Court's dispute over disclosing the identity of execution participants has now been elevated to the Tennessee Supreme Court, which must balance the state's argument about protecting participants' identities with the need for transparency in the execution process. The court's decision will have far-reaching consequences for how Tennessee carries out capital punishment.
About this story
Original reporting by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 20, 2026 ·
Source: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Attorneys for death row inmate Darrell Hines are asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to block his Aug. 13 execution unless the state replaces a physician involved in Tennessees failed attempt to execute Tony Carruthers. The motion filed Monday asks the court to require the Tennessee Department of ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 20, 2026 by NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Holly Lehren at NewsChannel 5 WTVF (CBS affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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