Tennessee MP apologizes for suggesting “hanging from tree” as form of execution

  • Tennessee legislators debated a bill to allow prisoners to be shot.
  • During the meeting, Rep. Paul Sherrell suggested lynching as another possible method of execution.
  • After a harsh reaction, Sherrell apologized and said he “made very short-sighted decisions”.

A Tennessee state legislator issued a public apology Wednesday after suggesting “hanging from a tree” as a method of execution, according to the Nashville Tennessean.

In a statement, Rep. Paul Sherrell of Sparta said his “exaggerated comments were intended to convey my belief that for the most brutal and most heinous crimes, a just society requires the death penalty in kind,” the publication reported.

“While the victim’s family cannot be restored after execution, the lesser punishment undermines the value we place on protecting life. I wanted to express my support to families who often wait decades for justice. I sincerely apologize to anyone who may have been hurt or offended.”

Sherrell made the comment during a House Criminal Justice Committee meeting Tuesday as lawmakers debated an amendment to a bill that would allow death row inmates to be executed by firing squad, a method currently not allowed in the state.

“I’m just wondering if I can make an amendment that would also include hanging from a tree,” Sherrell asked, according to the Nashville Tennessean. He also offered to co-sponsor the state bill.

His comments provoked a strong reaction. Ben Crump, a civil rights lawyer known for representing the families of George Floyd and Tyre Nichols, wrote on Thursday: “This is UNREAL! … How can such a grotesque sentence come off the tongue of a government official in 2023 ?!”

Sherrell did not immediately respond to an Insider request for comment.

An independent report released late last year found shortcomings in executions of death row inmates by lethal injection.

Several state officials said this week that they believe firing squad would be the most humane way of execution. According to CBS News, the bill has been referred to the finance committee.

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