EXCLUSIVEFORSUBSCRIBERSLethal InjectionDr. Mark Walton Fowler played a key role in the attempt to put Tony Carruthers to death by lethal injection before it was called off after 90 minutes.Tony Carruthers’ execution was called off and he was given a one-year reprieve after the state Department of Correction struggled to find a vein to set a backup injection line.USA Today Network; Tenn. Dept. of Corrections; APJune 1, 2026, 5:02 AM EDTTennessee’s failure to execute a man by lethal injection last month after no one could locate a suitable vein led to a rare unmasking: Not only was a practicing physician identified as a participant in the death chamber, but witnesses say he played a direct role in botching the execution.Just a moment.We are getting your experience ready.