BLOUNT COUNTY — Supporters of death row inmate Gary Wayne Sutton held a press conference at the Blount County Courthouse on Wednesday calling on Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to halt Sutton’s scheduled execution on December 3, 2026. They cited claims of his innocence and a pending legal review over whether Sutton has an intellectual disability, which would make him ineligible for the death penalty.

Sutton was convicted in the early 1990s by a Blount County jury for the murder of Tommy Griffin and by a Sevier County jury for the killing of Connie Branham. His uncle, James Dellinger, was also convicted in the double homicide and died on death row in 2023 from apparent natural causes. A hearing to evaluate Sutton’s intellectual disability was scheduled but has been stayed by the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals while it reviews a petition from the state seeking to block the proceeding.

Private investigator Heather Zielinski, who has worked on Sutton’s case, said at the press conference, “This case was wrong every step of the way.” She added, “Gary Wayne Sutton is innocent and Tennessee, the state of Tennessee, the governor, is going to have an innocent man's blood on their hands come December if they do not stop this execution.”

Amy, Sutton’s niece, appealed directly to the governor, saying the justice system failed her uncle. “Let's right the wrong now,” she said. “I mean, it is time. He needs to be home with his family.”

District Attorney General Ryan Desmond defended the convictions, stating, “The facts and evidence surrounding the case against Gary Sutton have been carefully reviewed by two separate impartial juries, two separate prosecutors' offices, the state attorney general’s office, numerous trial judges, multiple panels of the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Tennessee Supreme Court.” He added, “Every single instance of consideration and review has resulted in the conclusion that Mr. Sutton is guilty of double murder for which he was sentenced to death.”

At the conclusion of the event, Sutton’s supporters held hands and prayed for him and the governor.