Attribution: Tony Carruthers’s federal lawyers

Add your name: No Wrongful Execution for Tony Carruthers

Jack,

On May 21, the state of Tennessee plans to execute Tony Carruthers even though they refuse to run simple fingerprint and DNA testing that could prove his innocence.

This case has every red flag we've seen in wrongful execution cases:

• No physical evidence linking Tony to the crime
• Conviction based on paid jailhouse informants
• Crime scene fingerprints and DNA don't match Tony — but the state won't compare them to the actual suspect
• Tony has  severe mental illness and was forced to represent himself at trial.

If you believe that Tennessee should not execute Tony Carruthers without investigating all of the evidence, urge Governor Lee to pause the execution and allow forensic testing.

One of the people responsible for the murders said Tony was not involved and pointed investigators to a different man: Ronnie Irving. Police have Ronnie's fingerprints on file. They refuse to compare them.

Governor Lee has the power to intervene. He must issue an immediate stay of execution, which will give time for the courts to order fingerprint and DNA comparison testing and to ensure Tony has proper legal representation given his mental illness. 

When states rush executions without answering basic questions about innocence, it undermines the entire justice system. If you agree that Governor Lee should prioritize justice over political expediency, sign the petition to pause Tony’s execution and call for forensic testing.

In solidarity,

Laura Porter
Executive Director, U.S. Campaign to End the Death Penalty