A leg­isla­tive com­mit­tee cre­at­ed to study the death penal­ty in Tennessee has rec­om­mend­ed ways to ensure cap­i­tal cas­es are han­dled fair­ly and effec­tive­ly. The com­mit­tee approved a res­o­lu­tion that asks law­mak­ers to cre­ate a statewide author­i­ty whose duties would include iden­ti­fy­ing lawyers expe­ri­enced in cap­i­tal cas­es, rais­ing the stan­dard pay for such attor­neys, and mon­i­tor­ing their case­loads.

Thomas Lee, a Tennessee attor­ney on the com­mit­tee, said such an author­i­ty would help ensure that ​“tri­als are done right the first time.” The com­mit­tee, cre­at­ed last year after the state leg­is­la­ture decid­ed Tennessee’s death penal­ty sys­tem need­ed to be exam­ined for fair­ness and accu­ra­cy, will present its find­ings to the Governor and lawmakers.



(Associated Press, ​“Committee offers plan to improve death penal­ty sys­tem,” December 9, 2008). See Recent Legislative Activity and Representation.

Citation Guide