NASHVILLE — Tennessee’s executioner will not testify in a trial challenging the constitutionality of lethal injection, at least for the time being.
The state Court of Appeals issued the order Wednesday afternoon in response to an emergency request filed earlier in the day by Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery. In his motion, Slatery echoed an earlier ruling by the state’s Supreme Court that the executioner’s testimony is irrelevant because the case challenges the written lethal injection protocols, not how they are carried out by a specific person. Slatery also said there could be “irreparable harm” if the executioner’s identity becomes known, despite efforts to conceal it.
The case is being heard in Davidson County Chancery Court, where Chancellor Claudia Bonnyman on Tuesday ordered the executioner to testify by telephone with his or her voice disguised.
The plaintiffs in the case are 33 death row inmates. Their attorneys are trying to show that lethal injection is likely to cause extreme pain and suffering. They also claim it will subject their clients to a lingering death.
The Court of Appeals gave the inmates’ attorneys until July 29 to file a response stating why the state’s executioner should testify.