Media Advisory

Tuesday, August 05, 2025 | 10:45am

NASHVILLE – Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling and upon consultation with the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, the Governor determined that it was lawful to carry out the jury’s sentence of death given to Mr. Black.

Therefore, today, by order of the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Department of Correction carried out the death sentence of Byron Lewis Black by means of lethal injection at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. Inmate Black was pronounced dead at 10:43 a.m. CDT.

Photo of Victims - Angela Clay and Her Two Daughters, Latoya and Lakeisha
Photo of Statement From Victims' Family - I thank God for this day. A day that was a long time coming. 37 years is too long and it's not our fault. He got to take that up with the master, the redeemer. He brought this on himself. I am thanksful and grateful to see this day. The load and burden that has been lifted off our hearts. Not just me, but my family with me. I thank God for making this happen. His family is going through the same thing now we went through 37 years ago. I can't say I'm sorry because we never got an apology. He never apologized and he never admitted it, even on his dying bed, he took it to his grave with him. And he know he did it. And this is closure for my family, my sister, and her two daughters can finally rest in peace.