On August 5, 2025, Tennessee executed Byron Black in an execution that media witnesses described as causing Mr. Black pain and distress. He even raised his head multiple times during the execution process saying, “It hurts so bad.” Not only is such a torturous execution unconstitutional but so too is executing a man with undisputed intellectual disability. For a state that purports to be about law and order, this execution represents a flagrant violation of both.

Mr. Black’s attorney, Kelley Henry, made a powerful statement after the execution. We would like to share it with you now and invite you to join with us in this fight to end the death penalty.

Attorney Kelley Henry Statement on the Execution of Byron Black, a Person With Intellectual Disability

“What happened here was the result of pure, unbridled bloodlust and cowardice. It was the brutal and unchecked abuse of government power. It was the result of a failed criminal legal system that countenanced, even rewarded, attorneys who told half-truths and untruths.

Today, the State of Tennessee killed a gentle, kind, fragile, intellectually disabled man in violation of the laws of our country simply because they could. No one in a position of power, certainly not the courts, was willing to stop them.

And if you think that what happened is just about one man, you are wrong. We are witnessing the erosion of the rule of law and every principle of human decency on which this country was founded. Today, it is Byron. Tomorrow, it will be someone you care about.

The people who made this happen are not telling the public the truth. They should feel shame, but they seem incapable.

I represented Byron Black for 25 years. And for 25 years, every visit with Byron was filled with stories of family. He would fill me in on the milestones of his sisters, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was so proud of them. Every year since 1965 Byron’s huge extended family would come from all 50 states for family reunions. Each of the 37 years he was incarcerated, they would remember Byron at these reunions and his sisters would fill him in on the gatherings. Last night, Byron spoke of the family reunion he would have with his ancestors in Heaven. I asked him what he thought it would be like to see his mom. He said she will run to him and pull him into her arms and say, “Son, I have been waiting for you.”

Byron was a person who cared about other people. He was proud of the fact that he never missed a birthday. Each January, he would take out a makeshift calendar and write down everyone’s birthday so that he could be sure to send them a card. His friends in Unit 2 would help him with this task.

Last night, Byron spoke of the birthday cards and how people always appreciated them. “I touched so many people,” he said. Then he said, “you have a birthday coming up. I’m sorry that I won’t be able to send you a card, but I’ll be thinking about you.”

He expressed gratitude to his legal team, all of his supporters, and to the prison staff who had been kind to him while he was on death watch.

Byron left this world with words of grace, mercy, and love.

I wish I could share these sentiments. I do not.

The State of Tennessee heartlessly and intentionally traumatized a second family today. A family that matters. A family that is devastated.

May God have mercy on their souls. I know that he has mercy for Byron.”

–Kelley Henry, Attorney for Byron Black