Case: Abdur'Rahman v. Bredesen

03-CV-01767 | Tennessee state appellate court

Filed Date: April 4, 2002

Closed Date: 2006

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

On April 4, 2002, after many years of appeals following his criminal conviction, Abu-Ali Abdur'Rahman filed a petition in the Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee, to reopen his post-petition case and raise several issues, including the constitutionality of the death penalty administered by lethal injection. The circuit court dismissed the petition with regard to all issues except the constitutionality of lethal injection. The state legislature enacted lethal injection as a means of e…

On April 4, 2002, after many years of appeals following his criminal conviction, Abu-Ali Abdur'Rahman filed a petition in the Circuit Court for Davidson County, Tennessee, to reopen his post-petition case and raise several issues, including the constitutionality of the death penalty administered by lethal injection. The circuit court dismissed the petition with regard to all issues except the constitutionality of lethal injection. The state legislature enacted lethal injection as a means of execution in 1998 and appointed a committee to establish a protocol for its use. The plaintiff sought review of the constitutionality of that protocol. After a hearing, the trial court found for the state. The Court of Appeals of Tennessee affirmed.

The Tennessee Supreme Court (Chief Justice E. Riley Anderson) affirmed on October 17, 2005, finding that the protocol did not violate contemporary standards of decency and the plaintiff had not established that the procedures amounted to cruel and unusual punishment. Abdur'Rahman v. Bredesen, 181 S.W.3d 292 (Tenn. 2005). The United States Supreme Court denied certiorari on May 22, 2006. Abdur'Rahman v. Bredesen, 126 S.Ct. 2288 (2006).

Summary Authors

Angela Heverling (7/28/2007)

People


Judge(s)

Anderson, E. Riley (Tennessee)

Cain, William B. (Tennessee)

Clement, Frank G. Jr. (Tennessee)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Goldstein, Thomas C. (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Aronow, Geoffrey F. (District of Columbia)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document

03-CV-01767

Opinion

Oct. 6, 2004

Oct. 6, 2004

Order/Opinion

2004 WL 2004

03-CV-01767

Appellant's Supplemental Brief

Tennessee state supreme court

March 30, 2005

March 30, 2005

Pleading / Motion / Brief

03-CV-01767

Appellant's Brief

Tennessee state supreme court

May 13, 2005

May 13, 2005

Pleading / Motion / Brief

03-CV-01767

Tenn. Supreme Court Opinion

Tennessee state supreme court

Oct. 17, 2005

Oct. 17, 2005

Order/Opinion

181 S.W.3d 181

05-01036

Supreme Court Petition for Writ of Certiorari

Supreme Court of the United States

Feb. 15, 2006

Feb. 15, 2006

Pleading / Motion / Brief

05-01036

Amicus Brief filed on Behalf of Abdur'Rahman by Medical Professionals

Supreme Court of the United States

April 19, 2006

April 19, 2006

Pleading / Motion / Brief

05-01036

Petitioner's Reply Brief

Supreme Court of the United States

May 2, 2006

May 2, 2006

Pleading / Motion / Brief

05-01036

Petitioner's Supplemental Brief (in light of Clark execution in Ohio)

Supreme Court of the United States

May 2, 2006

May 2, 2006

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Docket

Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:50 p.m.

Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.

Case Details

State / Territory: Tennessee

Case Type(s):

Criminal Justice (Other)

Key Dates

Filing Date: April 4, 2002

Closing Date: 2006

Case Ongoing: No

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

A prisoner awaiting execution challenging the Tennessee Department of Correction's three-drug lethal injection protocol

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: Yes

Class Action Outcome: Denied

Defendants

Tennessee Department of Corrections, State

Case Details

Causes of Action:

42 U.S.C. § 1983

Constitutional Clause(s):

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Available Documents:

Any published opinion

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Defendant

Nature of Relief:

None

Source of Relief:

None

Issues

Death Penalty:

Lethal Injection - General