Pervis Payne was most recently scheduled to be executed in December, 2020; however his execution was stayed until April 9, 2021 and a new execution date has not been set. Currently, all Tennessee executions have been halted due to the pandemic.

Pervis Payne is a black man who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1987 murders of Charisse Christopher and her two-year-old daughter, Lacie. Christopher's 3-year-old son, Nicholas, survived multiple stab wounds in the brutal attack that took place in their apartment building.

There are very real questions about Pervis Payne's guilt; in fact, and Mr. Payne is seeking further DNA testing of evidence in the case. There is also no question that he is intellectually disabled and therefore should be ineligible for the death penalty. Read more about Mr. Payne's case and his claim of innocence here, via The Innocence Project.

While most states are turning away from the death penalty or using it rarely, this could be the eighth execution to occur in Tennessee since executions resumed there in August 2018.

Please sign the petition asking Governor Lee to do everything within his power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Petitions will be delivered at an appropriate time if and when a new execution date is set.

Additional information about protesting executions in Tennessee is on the March 4 Mercy web page.