Family of death row inmate blames doctor in botched execution

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Booking photo of Tony Carruthers. (Credit: Tennessee Department of Correction)

The family of a Tennessee death row inmate, whose execution was halted because of problems inserting an IV, has filed a complaint, accusing the doctor of violating ethics after the failed execution in May.

Tony Caruthers was scheduled for lethal injection May 21. Tonya Hervey, Carruthers’ sister, filed a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Health saying the botch led to a stroke causing severe pain and partial paralysis.

At the execution, a primary line was established, but the IV team took over an hour to find and insert a backup line, causing "visible agony and distress" before Dr. Mark Fowler attempted to insert a central line. Additionally, the family says Dr. Fowler injected Carruthers with lidocaine without making sure he was not allergic to it, according to the complaint.

Tony Carruthers convicted of killing 3 in Memphis

Dig deeper:

Carruthers, 57, was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the 1994 kidnappings and murders of Marcellos Anderson; his mother, Delois Anderson; and Frederick Tucker.

There was no physical evidence tying Carruthers to the killings, and he was convicted primarily on the basis of testimony from people who claimed to have heard him confess to or discuss the crimes.

The backstory:

In a written statement, the Tennessee Department of Corrections said medical personnel had quickly established a primary IV line but were unable to find a suitable vein for a backup line as required by the state’s execution protocol. Efforts to insert a central line also failed, and officials called off the execution.

What's next:

The state won't try to execute Carruthers for at least a year, Gov. Bill Lee announced.

The Source: This story was written with information provided by The Associated Press and previous reporting by LiveNOW from FOX. This story was reported from Orlando.

Crime & Public Safety Tennessee