Tennessee has executed its first inmate since 2009, putting a man to death for the 1985 rape and murder of a 7-year-old Knoxville girl.
Authorities say 59-year-old inmate Billy Ray Irick was pronounced dead at 7:48 p.m. Thursday following a three-drug injection at a state prison in Nashville.
The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way on Thursday afternoon for the execution, denying Irick’s request for a stay.
Since its last execution, Tennessee has endured legal challenges and difficulties securing execution drugs including its previous one, pentobarbital.
Irick Executed by State
Aug 10, 2018 | 5:00 AM