Family of death row inmate Gary Wayne Sutton rallies at Capitol, calls on governor to stop execution

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Family and friends of Tennessee death row inmate Gary Wayne Sutton rallied at the State Capitol Tuesday, urging Bill Lee to step in and stop Sutton’s execution.

Supporters say Sutton’s conviction is flawed and point to what they describe as a lack of direct evidence, concerns about the state’s expert witness, and questions surrounding Sutton’s intellectual disability. Sutton is scheduled to be executed on Dec. 3.

A small group gathered on the Capitol steps calling for the governor to review the case and remove Sutton from death row.

“Gary was convicted of taking the life of his best friend, and that didn’t happen,” said Carolyn Miller, a longtime friend of Sutton.

Sutton has been on death row since 1996 following his conviction in the 1992 killings of his close friend, Tommy Griffin, and Griffin’s sister, Connie Branam.

Miller told the crowd she was with Sutton at the time of the crime and believes he is innocent.

“I was with him at the time,” Miller said. “That’s not a theory. That’s the fact and that’s the truth.”

A private investigator representing Sutton says her review of the case uncovered missing information and serious concerns about how the investigation was handled.

“Once an execution happens, there is no appeal, there is no remedy, there is no way to correct that mistake,” said Heather Michelle Cohen, a licensed private investigator.

Sutton’s daughter, Casondra Young, also spoke, telling supporters her father has missed nearly her entire life behind bars. She pleaded with the governor to take another look at the case.

“Just look at his case,” Young said. “Because you will find that he’s innocent.”

Sutton’s family has launched an online petition and is encouraging Tennesseans to contact the governor’s office. They say a full review of the case is the only way to prevent what they believe would be an irreversible mistake.