Supporters of death row inmate Gary Sutton held a press conference at the Blount County Courthouse in Tennessee today after a scheduled court hearing on his intellectual disability claim was paused. The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals stayed the hearing while it reviews a petition from the state. People with intellectual disabilities are ineligible for the death penalty.

Sutton’s supporters, including friend Carolyn Weaver, private investigator Heather Zielinski, niece Amy, and supporter Natasha Wagner, spoke passionately about his claimed innocence in the 1992 murder of Tommy Griffin. They raised concerns about the reliability of witnesses and the medical examiner, alleged flaws in the investigation and trial, and issues with Tennessee’s execution protocol following a recent failed execution. They urged Governor Lee to review the case, emphasized that Sutton is innocent, and called for the justice system to correct what they see as a wrongful conviction. The group ended the event by holding hands and praying for Sutton and the governor.

Sutton was convicted by a Blount County jury in the killing of Tommy Griffin, shortly after a Sevier County jury convicted him in the murder of Griffin’s sister, Connie Branham. His uncle, James Dellinger, was also convicted in both cases and died on death row in 2023. District Attorney General Ryan Desmond defended the convictions, noting that multiple juries, prosecutors, judges, and appellate courts have reviewed the case and upheld Sutton’s guilt in the double murder. Victims’ family members have also expressed belief in Sutton’s responsibility. Sutton is currently scheduled for execution on December 3.