TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Jan 19, 2023

The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) has parted ways with its top lawyer and inspector general following an independent probe that uncovered errors and poor oversight of the state’s lethal injection protocol, the Tennessean reports. Former TDOC general counsel and deputy commissioner Debra Inglis and former Inspector General Kelly Young were excused on Dec. 27. Bryce Coatney, a deputy general counsel, had previously submitted a notice of resignation in late summer and retired on Dec. 1. Coatney did not work on execution issues during his TDOC tenure, per the TDOC documents. The independent investigation, led by Memphis attorney Edward Stanton, found the state was aware of issues with following its own lethal injection protocol and still chose to move forward with the April execution of Oscar Franklin Smith. Lee intervened at the last minute to stop Smith’s execution. Lee has tasked new department leadership to revise Tennessee's lethal injection protocol.