After 39 Years: Tennessee Executes Inmate for 1985 Murder
Tennessee Carries Out Execution of Anthony Darrell Hines After 41 Years on Death Row
What Happened?
On Thursday, August 13, 2026, the state of Tennessee executed Anthony Darrell Hines, a 66-year-old man who had spent more than four decades on death row. The execution took place at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. Hines was pronounced dead at 10:43 a.m.
Important Context
This execution came less than three months after Tennessee’s previous execution attempt was halted when the medical team couldn’t properly set up the IV lines needed for lethal injection. That attempt involved inmate Tony Carruthers in May 2026.
Who Was the Victim?
Catherine Jean Jenkins was 54 years old when she was murdered in March 1985. She was working at a motel in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, when Hines fatally stabbed her 13 times and sexually assaulted her with the same weapon.
Jenkins left behind:
- Her husband
- Four children (including Dennis and Melissa Jenkins)
- A legacy remembered as a devoted mother, wife, homemaker, and woman of faith
The Execution: Step by Step
- 10:30 a.m. – Curtains opened in the death chamber; witnesses saw Hines on the gurney
- Health condition noted – Hines’ hands were covered, one arm bent from a stroke; speech was impaired
- Last statement – Hines declined to give any final words
- Spiritual advisor – Repeated "You’re a beautiful child of God" multiple times during the process
- 10:34 a.m. – Hines let out a loud groan and gurgled; discoloration appeared on his face
- 10:43 a.m. – Time of death officially announced
Total time: Approximately 13 minutes from curtain opening to pronouncement of death.
Family Reactions
Dennis Jenkins (Son)
"For those of you that may be concerned as to whether or not this animal [Hines] suffered, let me tell you what he did to my mother… Yes, I hope he did suffer because what he did to my mother is nothing to what he just went through."
Melissa Jenkins (Daughter)
"We will always mourn the wonderful person our mother was… This day brings justice. After so many years, we’re finally able to close this chapter of our lives."
Also present: Hines’ own son, who had met his father for the first time just four days earlier. Witnesses described him as "visibly upset."
Legal Challenges & Health Concerns
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 2025 | Hines suffers first stroke |
| January 2026 | Hines suffers second stroke (left him partially paralyzed, blind, in constant pain) |
| May 2026 | Tony Carruthers’ execution halted after 1+ hour of failed IV access attempts |
| August 11, 2026 | Governor Bill Lee denies clemency for Hines |
| August 13, 2026 | Execution carried out despite last-minute legal challenges |
Attorney Arguments (Katherine Dix, Hines’ Lawyer)
- Hines’ medical condition (paralysis, stroke damage) made IV access extremely difficult
- The same problems from the Carruthers execution could happen again
- Executing a blind, paralyzed, suffering man is cruel and unusual
Attorney Dix’s Full Statement (Excerpt)
"What we witnessed here today is not normal, and I urge us all to not become numb or indifferent to the cruelty… The leaders of this state repeatedly invoke the sanctity of life, but today the State put to death a man who was blind and paralyzed on his left side, could not walk, and was in constant pain. May God have mercy on us all."
Summary
- Anthony Darrell Hines, 66, was executed by lethal injection in Tennessee on August 13, 2026
- He was convicted of the 1985 murder of Catherine Jean Jenkins (stabbed 13 times, sexually assaulted)
- The execution proceeded despite serious health concerns (strokes, paralysis, blindness) and a recent failed execution attempt in the same state
- Victim’s family expressed relief and a sense of justice; Hines’ attorney condemned the execution as cruel
- Governor Bill Lee denied clemency days before the execution
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why did it take 41 years to carry out this execution?
Death penalty cases in the U.S. go through many layers of appeals (state courts, federal courts, Supreme Court). This process often takes decades to ensure no legal errors were made.
2. What happened during the Tony Carruthers execution attempt in May?
The execution team could not establish a backup IV line after more than an hour of trying. Tennessee protocol requires two IV lines (primary + backup). The execution was called off by the governor.
3. What is "clemency" and why was it denied?
Clemency is when a governor or president reduces a sentence (e.g., death to life in prison) or grants a pardon. Governor Bill Lee reviewed the case and declined to intervene.
4. Why did Hines’ attorneys argue his health made execution problematic?
Hines suffered two strokes leaving him partially paralyzed, blind, and with impaired speech. His attorneys argued his veins would be too damaged for reliable IV access, risking a botched, painful execution.
5. Was Hines conscious during the execution?
Witnesses reported Hines groaned and gurgled around 10:34 a.m., and his face showed discoloration. His speech was already impaired from strokes, so he could not communicate clearly. A spiritual advisor remained with him throughout.
This article is based on reporting from FOX 17 News (WZTV Nashville) and public records. All quotes are from official statements or witness accounts.