Tennessee executes Byron Black despite concerns about his defibrillator

Tennessee executed 69‑year‑old Byron Black by lethal injection on Tuesday, despite concerns that his implanted defibrillator could prolong his death by attempting to restart his heart. Black, convicted of a 1988 triple murder, had his final appeal rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to block the execution over concerns of cruel and unusual punishment. Witnesses reported Black appeared in pain during the process, expressing discomfort to his spiritual adviser before dying at 10:43 a.m. Governor Bill Lee declined to grant clemency.