Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has officially denied a clemency request for death row inmate Harold “Wayne” Nichols, clearing the way for his execution—37 years after he brutally raped and murdered 20-year-old Karen Pulley in Chattanooga.
In a statement released Wednesday, Gov. Lee said he had conducted a thorough review before making his decision:
“After deliberate consideration of Harold Wayne Nichols’ request for clemency, and after a thorough review of the case, I am upholding the sentence of the State of Tennessee and do not plan to intervene.”
Nichols, now 64 years old, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Thursday, barring any last-minute legal intervention. His execution will mark the enforcement of a sentence handed down for one of the state’s most shocking and violent crimes.
🔪 The Crime That Shocked Tennessee
On September 30, 1988, Nichols attacked Karen Pulley, a young woman whose life was just beginning. According to court records:
Pulley was beaten with a 2-by-4 wooden board
She was raped and bludgeoned
Nichols left her for dead before fleeing the scene
Investigators later linked Nichols to the crime, and he confessed to the attack.
The brutal nature of the murder has remained etched into the memories of both Pulley’s family and the Chattanooga community for decades.
⚖️ Nearly Four Decades of Legal Battles
Since his conviction, Nichols has spent more than three decades on death row, filing multiple appeals based on claims of trauma, mental illness, and ineffective counsel. His attorneys also argued that executing him now—after almost four decades—would be inhumane.
Victim advocates and Pulley’s loved ones, however, have long pushed for the sentence to be carried out, saying justice has already been delayed for far too long.
⏳ Execution Set for Thursday
Unless a court issues an unexpected stay, Nichols will be put to death Thursday evening, making him one of the oldest and longest-incarcerated inmates to be executed in Tennessee.
For many, the execution marks the final chapter in a case that has spanned generations. For Pulley’s family, it is a moment they have waited 37 long, painful years to reach.
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