Tennessee Supreme Court blocks order to reveal execution physician identity

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The Tennessee Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected a request by a death row inmate to force state corrections officials to disclose whether the same physician involved in a failed execution attempt in May will be used when he is scheduled to be put to death on Aug. 13.

The court rejected a legal request filed by attorneys for Darrell Hines, a death row inmate scheduled to be executed on Aug. 13, 2026.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Tenn. court orders disclosure of execution physician identity in upcoming execution

Hines' attorneys had asked the court to force the Tennessee Department of Correction to disclose whether it intends to use a specific physician, Dr. Mark Fowler, during the execution.

The court declined to require that disclosure, declined to appoint a neutral third party to examine Hines' constitutional claim, and declined to pause the execution.

At the execution, a primary line was established, but Fowler and the medical staff reportedly took more than an hour to find and insert a backup line, causing pain to Tony Carruthers before Fowler attempted to insert a central line.

Hines' attorneys argue he is at particular risk because he suffered two strokes in December 2025 and January 2026, leaving him partially paralyzed.

The Davidson County Chancery Court had issued an order on July 17 directing TDOC to answer whether Fowler would be used. The Tennessee Supreme Court's ruling on Wednesday effectively cancels that lower court order.

PAST COVERAGE | Death row inmate asks Tenn. Supreme Court to delay execution unless physician is replaced

TDOC has not publicly released a detailed review of what went wrong during Carruthers' execution attempt.

Gov. Lee has not granted a reprieve or ordered a pause in executions.

Hines' execution remains scheduled for Aug. 13, 2026.

Source: newschannel9.com, Brianna Sorrell, August 6, 2026

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but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."
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