Statement from Laura Porter, Executive Director, U.S. Campaign to End the Death Penalty: “The extreme and gruesome spectacles of botched executions and livestreamed shootings illustrate why more and more Americans don’t trust the government with the death penalty. It is becoming increasingly clear that our state and federal governments lack the competence and the judgment […]
Statement from Randy Spivey and Kelly Gleason from the TN Office of the Post Conviction Defender, and Stephen Ferrell and Luke Ihnen from Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee, attorneys for Christa Pike NASHVILLE – Against all odds, Christa Pike is conscious, speaking, and continues to receive critical medical care. Despite the severe damage she endured to her arms, she is still handcuffed and shackled to the […]
** News about this story is still developing. ** UPDATE – OCTOBER 6, 2026: Christa Pike is conscious, speaking, and continues to receive critical medical care. Her attorneys have released a statement, which you can review here. POSTED OCTOBER 1, 2026: Last night, for the second time in six months, the state of Tennessee tortured […]
Just in from our partners at Tennesseeans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty: The Tennesseean newspaper ran an informal reader poll last week, in which 93% of respondents said Tennessee should abolish capital punishment entirely. A smaller group (roughly 3%) supported an indefinite pause, while others advocated reforming the state’s death penalty. Just over 2% […]
The following statement is from Katherine Dix, attorney for Darrell Hines, following his execution on August 13, 2026: “I’d like to start by saying that I grieve for the family of Catherine Jean Jenkins. May God be with you. “I also grieve the violence the State of Tennessee inflicted on us all today. On Darrell, […]
BACKGROUND: THE CASE AT A GLANCE NEW EVIDENCE: DEFENSE LAWYER’S KLAN TIES In August 2025, Rocky’s legal team filed a Rule 32 petition asking the court to overturn his conviction and grant a new trial. The petition rests on two claims: that Rocky is innocent, and that he was denied meaningful, conflict-free representation. WHERE THE […]
