Home / Crime and Justice / Inmate Executed Despite Defibrillator Concerns, Witnesses Report Agonizing Pain
Inmate Executed Despite Defibrillator Concerns, Witnesses Report Agonizing Pain
5 Aug
Summary
- Inmate executed despite uncertainty about defibrillator device
- Inmate complained of severe pain shortly after lethal injection
- Execution raises questions about medical ethics and disability rights
On August 6, 2025, the state of Tennessee executed an inmate, Byron Black, despite concerns about his implanted defibrillator device. According to witnesses, Black was in clear distress shortly after the lethal injection began, saying "Oh, it's hurting so bad."
The execution has raised ethical questions, as Black's attorneys had previously argued that the defibrillator should be deactivated to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering. However, Tennessee's Supreme Court overturned a lower court's decision, allowing the execution to proceed.
Black, who was 69 years old and suffered from various medical conditions including dementia and brain damage, was convicted in 1988 for the murders of his girlfriend and her two young daughters. His lawyers have argued that he was intellectually disabled and should have been barred from execution.
The incident has sparked renewed debate over the use of lethal injections, particularly for inmates with complex medical needs. Experts have also highlighted the ethical dilemma faced by medical professionals who may be asked to participate in executions, which is considered a violation of healthcare ethics.
