TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Nov 5, 2020

The Tennessee Legislative Black Caucus on Wednesday announced it has filed a bill that would shield intellectually disabled people convicted of a crime from the death penalty, the Daily Memphian reports. The legislation was inspired by Pervis Payne, a 53-year-old Shelby County man with intellectual disabilities who has been on death row for 33 years for double murder. He is scheduled to be executed on Dec. 3. Rep. G.A. Hardaway, chair of the Black Caucus, said House Bill 0001 will not be heard until after Payne’s scheduled execution unless he is granted clemency by Gov. Bill Lee. Hardaway said the legislation would “provide [a] path through the courts for Mr. Payne to address the intellectual disability issue and prevent an unjust murder” by the state if Payne lives long enough to benefit from the legislation.