Tennessee activists ask the governor to shift the focus from the death penalty to violence prevention

Nashville, Tenn. (WZTV) – Raffiah Muhammad-McCormick stood in the office of the state of Cordell Hull with others who had lost relatives by violence. Her voice was constant, but her story sang.

“It was 107 degrees that he got over, and unfortunately he and one of his guests got into a dispute. He was shot several times,” said Rafiah Muhammad-McCormick, mother of a victim.

The shootout occurred in her own garden. And she still pursues the sound of these shots.

Muhammad-McCormick joined the members of the Tennessee Typever penalty to hand over a letter to Governor Bill Lee's office. It was signed by dozens of survivors of violent crimes, whereby everyone asked the state to distract the resources of executions, and support programs that support healing and prevention.

“The death penalty of the death penalty is the most expensive thing you can do in our legal system,” said Stacy Rector, Managing Director of Tennesseaner, to receive alternatives to the death penalty.

These costs are not only emotional – it is financially. According to public records, Tennessee spent around 600,000 US dollars for the procurement of drugs used in fatal injections.

A survey by Middle Tennessee State University 2018 showed:

• 55% of Tennessans supported the death penalty
• 30% against it, on the other hand
• The rest remained undecided

Governor Lee replied to inquiries with a statement that it was emphasized that, in his opinion, the death penalty remains an appropriate punishment for the “most hideous crimes”. He explained the confidence in the ability of Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) to be implemented.

Tennessee kept the executions in 2022 after the botched fatal injection of Oscar Smith. An independent review showed that the executions have used undestected drugs since 2018, a violation of state protocols.

In response to this, TDOC 2024 completed a new lethal injection protocol in which attempts were made to clear out concerns and to restore the supervision.

For Muhammad McCormick and others like you, the problem goes beyond legal procedures. It is about channeling grief in changes and demanding the state to invest in systems that prioritize the care, mental health and security of the community.

Her message was clear: justice should not be at the expense of more death costs.

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