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Federal court declines last-ditch effort for new DNA testing before Memphis murderer’s execution.Federal court declines last-ditch effort for new DNA testing before Memphis murderer’s execution Vigils planned at Riverbend prison gates and State Capitol ahead of execution Thursday morning MEMPHIS, Tenn.(WMC) - Convicted Memphis murderer Tony Carruthers is set to be executed Thursday morning at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.Tuesday, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state appeals court in denying Carruthers’ last-ditch attempt to halt his execution until new forensic evidence in the case could be tested.Wednesday, 24 hours before execution, the U.S.Court of Appeals also turned down the petition.The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) responded Wednesday night by appealing to the U.S.Supreme Court.Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has already stated he does not plan to stop the execution.Carruthers has spent over 30 years on death row after being convicted in a gruesome 1994 triple kidnapping and murder.“After deliberate consideration of Tony Von Carruthers’ request for clemency, and after thorough review of the case, I am upholding the sentence of the State of Tennessee and do not plan to intervene,” said Governor Lee on Tuesday.The horrific crime happened at Rose Hill Cemetery in South Memphis, which is now overgrown with weeds and abandoned.Delores Anderson, her son Marcellous and friend Freddrick Tucker were found buried alive in a single grave that was prepared for a funeral the following day.A coffin ended up being placed on top of the bodies.In an interview from death row in 2007, Carruthers was asked by Action News 5, “Well, it was pretty gruesome, wouldn’t you say?” And he answered, “Absolutely, but I wasn’t there.” All of the victims were acquaintances of Carruthers.Prosecutors stated two were shot and one was strangled.Prosecutors said Delores Anderson was still breathing when she was buried.“None of those wounds was fatal,” said Jerry Harris, a prosecutor during Carruthers’ trial.“Dirt had been impacted into her nose and mouth.” Now, over three decades later, Carruthers is set to be executed at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville at 10 a.m.Thursday.It’s been met with opposition, including from Kim Kardashian, who called for Governor Bill Lee “to test the DNA before it’s too late.” 50,000 signatures were also hand-delivered to Governor Lee on Monday as advocates called for the execution to be stopped.“And if the system can execute an innocent man, the blood would be on the hands of everyone who stayed silent,” said Calvin Williams, a community activist.Not everyone is opposed to the execution.People who grew up in South Memphis where the murders took place, who did not want to go on camera or be named, told Action News 5’s Michaela Redmond they want to see Carruthers executed.They said it would be much-needed closure to the situation that terrified the area.On Wednesday, advocates against the execution announced vigils would be taking place Thursday morning outside of the Riverbend prison gates and the State Capitol.“Public opposition to the execution of Tony Von Carruthers has reached a boiling point, with over 130,000 residents demanding that Governor Lee halt the injection to allow for modern DNA and fingerprint testing,” the press release stated.Action News 5’s Michaela Redmond will be at the execution Thursday and share the very latest details.Click here to sign up for our newsletter!Click here to report a spelling or grammar error.Please include the headline.Copyright 2026 WMC.All rights reserved.