(The Center Square) – Tennessee officials halted the execution of a man accused of a 1994 triple homicide after medical personnel could not find a vein during the procedure.
Tony Von Carruthers’ execution was scheduled for 10 a.m. CDT. on Thursday.
A primary IV line was already inserted into Carruthers, but medical personnel could not find a required second line for a backup, according to a statement from the Tennessee Department of Corrections.
“The team continued to follow the protocol, but could not find another suitable vein,” the Department of Corrections said. “The team attempted to insert a central line pursuant to the protocol, but the procedure was unsuccessful. The execution was then called off.”
Gov. Bill Lee granted Carruthers a one-year execution reprieve.
Carruthers was convicted in 1996 for the murders of Marcellos Anderson, his mother, Delois Anderson and Frederick Tucker, whose bodies were found in a Memphis cemetery. A co-defendant, James Montgomery, was also sentenced to death, but his case was reversed, according to court documents. A third co-defendant died by suicide while in jail.
Lee issued a moratorium on executions in 2022 while the state studied its execution protocols. Three Tennessee inmates were put to death in 2025 when executions resumed. Three others have execution dates for later this year.
