An inmate in the center died on Thursday by fatal injection

Nashville, Tenn. (WTVF) – Oscar Franklin Smith was the first inmate of the death line to have been executed in Tennessee for five years. Officials say he died on Thursday morning at 10:47 a.m.

Outside of the Rivanbend Maximum Security Prisones, witnesses remember the moments when Oscar Franklin Smith's execution, including a direct message to governor Bill Lee as his last words.

“He said someone has to tell the governor that the judicial system does not work,” recalled a witness. “He is the last word, the last person who gives justice when justice is needed. Too many innocent people are killed …”

Smith was convicted because he had killed his estranged wife Judy Robirds Smith and her two youthful sons in Nashville.

In the Sat Judy's brother and sister's execution chamber after more than three decades of waiting for justice.

“I miss the sound of Judy's voice, I know that my brother also does at the other end of the phone,” said Terri Osborne, Judy's sister. “We miss the excitement to plan Chad's hours of driving, and we miss the pure joy of hearing Jasons laughter …”

Thursday was also the first time that the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) used a new fatal injection medication called Pentobarbital.

“In the course of the process, I didn't notice any breast, some tremors. It was just as if I were to see someone sleeping,” recalled another witness.

Witnesses also described something else that was new – a spiritual consultant who was allowed to be in the room with Smith when he breathed his last.

“At some point I heard her say: 'Be strong, the Lord is good',” said another witness.

In the years before his execution, there were many controversy about the fatal injection protocols of the TDOC. In my previous story you will learn more about the new protocols.

Do you have more information about this story? You can send me an email to nikki.hauser@newschannel5.com.