US3 min(s) read
Published 12:30 14 Aug 2026 GMT
Anthony Darrell Hines, a death row inmate who spent 40 years behind bars, was executed in Tennessee on Thursday, August 13.
The 66-year-old was put to death by lethal injection at 10:43 AM yesterday and had a chilling message for his son before being put to death.
Hines was sentenced to death after being found guilty of the March 1985 murder of Catherine Jean Jenkins, 54.
Catherine, who was a mother and grandmother, worked as a housekeeper in a motel in Kingston Springs and was robbed by the convict before he stabbed her to death.
The Tennessean reported that while he was on death row, the inmate suffered two strokes, being left with limited use of the left side of his body and cognitive impairment.
The inmate had IV lines inserted into his arms while strapped into a gurney at 10:30 AM, with a spiritual advisor present in the chamber during the process.
Before being administered the lethal injection, the inmate was asked if he had any last words, to which he replied: “Not right now, thank you.”
But according to Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada, he then provided a message for his son, adding: “Tell my son hello.”
Hines' son, who has remained nameless by choice, was in the witness room during the process.
CBS News reported that Hines had reconnected with his son just four days before the execution, having not seen him since he was three years old.
It was reported that he had 'tears in his eyes' after witnessing his father's execution.
Hines' legal team argued that it was difficult for him to speak, eat and swallow, and asked that his death sentence be amended to a life sentence due to his medical struggles.
This was ultimately unsuccessful.
As for the inmate's final meal, he requested fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, a chicken sandwich, corn, coleslaw, fries, biscuits, and sweet tea, said a Tennessee Department of Correction spokesperson.
Members of the victim's family said that they felt justice was finally served.
Catherine’s son, Denis Jenkins, said: “For those of you that may be concerned as to whether or not this animal suffered, let me tell you what he did to my mother 41 years ago.
“He stabbed her 13 times, one of which went all the way through and came out her back. He then went on to sexually assault her with the same knife he just stabbed her with.
“I hope he did suffer. I hope he felt severe pain because what he did to my mother is nothing to what he may have just gone through.”
Catherine's daughter, Melissa Jenkins, said that this meant the family could 'close this chapter', as her family 'endured the unimaginable pain and grief of her death' for four decades.
"A lifetime of memories we were denied because she was taken from us," she said. "How do we move forward from a loss like this? The truth is, we never truly do. We will always mourn the wonderful person my mother was, even as we continue living our lives."
