Capital Punishment
Tony Von Carruthers v. State of Tennessee
On May 21, 2026, Tennessee carried out a botched and torturous attempt to execute Tony Carruthers despite the state’s continued refusal to conduct forensic testing that could prove he was wrongfully convicted. After nearly 90 minutes, the execution was halted by a one-year reprieve from Governor Bill Lee. Mr. Carruthers remains at risk of another execution attempt, and the state continues to deny fingerprint and DNA testing.
Status: Ongoing
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64 Capital Punishment Cases
Tennessee Supreme Court
Aug 2026
Capital Punishment
Free Speech
Assoc. Press v. Nelsen
Tennessee’s execution policies prevent the press from witnessing critical stages before and after a state execution. However, the public needs to know how they work—or don’t work—to participate in informed public debate. The ACLU’s State Supreme Court Initiative, alongside the ACLU of Tennessee, filed an amicus brief explaining why a provision in the Tennessee Constitution that guarantees access to government proceedings requires greater press access to executions.
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Tennessee Supreme Court
Aug 2026
Capital Punishment
Free Speech
Assoc. Press v. Nelsen
Tennessee’s execution policies prevent the press from witnessing critical stages before and after a state execution. However, the public needs to know how they work—or don’t work—to participate in informed public debate. The ACLU’s State Supreme Court Initiative, alongside the ACLU of Tennessee, filed an amicus brief explaining why a provision in the Tennessee Constitution that guarantees access to government proceedings requires greater press access to executions.
New Hampshire
Nov 2025
Capital Punishment
Racial Justice
New Hampshire v. Michael Addison
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New Hampshire
Nov 2025
Capital Punishment
Racial Justice
New Hampshire v. Michael Addison
Nevada Supreme Court
Aug 2025
Capital Punishment
Ybarra v. Warden
This case presents the question of whether the execution of a capital defendant with serious mental illness violates Article I, section 6 of the Nevada Constitution, which prohibits cruel or unusual punishment. The ACLU’s Capital Punishment Project and State Supreme Court Initiative, along with the ACLU of Nevada, filed an amicus brief arguing that a plain reading of Article I, section 6 of the Nevada Constitution provides broader protections than the Eighth Amendment and should be interpreted to establish a categorical exemption from execution for this population.
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Nevada Supreme Court
Aug 2025
Capital Punishment
Ybarra v. Warden
This case presents the question of whether the execution of a capital defendant with serious mental illness violates Article I, section 6 of the Nevada Constitution, which prohibits cruel or unusual punishment. The ACLU’s Capital Punishment Project and State Supreme Court Initiative, along with the ACLU of Nevada, filed an amicus brief arguing that a plain reading of Article I, section 6 of the Nevada Constitution provides broader protections than the Eighth Amendment and should be interpreted to establish a categorical exemption from execution for this population.
Court Case
Aug 2025
Capital Punishment
Immigrants' Rights
African Communities Together v. Lyons
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Court Case
Aug 2025
Capital Punishment
Immigrants' Rights
African Communities Together v. Lyons
U.S. Supreme Court
Jul 2025
Capital Punishment
Anthony Wainwright v. Governor of Florida et al.
Anthony Wainwright, who was facing imminent execution in Florida, attempted to file a petition in the Florida Supreme Court with the assistance of his pro bono counsel of choice. The court dismissed the petition only because his court-appointed refused to file it, despite the fact that Mr. Wainwright was entitled to do so under Florida law. He asked the United States Supreme Court to review his case to decide whether the Florida court’s action deprived him his constitutional right of access to the courts and his Sixth Amendment right to counsel. The United States Supreme Court refused to review the case, and the State of Florida executed him on June 10, 2025.
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U.S. Supreme Court
Jul 2025
Capital Punishment
Anthony Wainwright v. Governor of Florida et al.
Anthony Wainwright, who was facing imminent execution in Florida, attempted to file a petition in the Florida Supreme Court with the assistance of his pro bono counsel of choice. The court dismissed the petition only because his court-appointed refused to file it, despite the fact that Mr. Wainwright was entitled to do so under Florida law. He asked the United States Supreme Court to review his case to decide whether the Florida court’s action deprived him his constitutional right of access to the courts and his Sixth Amendment right to counsel. The United States Supreme Court refused to review the case, and the State of Florida executed him on June 10, 2025.