ACLU seeks post-conviction DNA testing in Tennessee triple-murder case to challenge death sentence

The American Civil Liberties Union filed a motion with the Tennessee Supreme Court requesting post-conviction DNA testing in the 1994 kidnapping/murder case that left Tony Carruthers on death row. The petition argues that fingerprints at the crime scene do not match Carruthers or co-defendant James Montgomery and highlights an unidentified male DNA profile on a white blanket linked to the victims. Retrial evidence indicated a different suspect (Ronnie Irving) may be involved, and Montgomery later testified Carruthers was not involved. If the DNA testing could exonerate Carruthers or point to another suspect, it could lead to a stay of his May 21 execution date; the case has long been entangled with claims of inadequate legal representation and reliance on jailhouse informants.