Tennessee executes death row inmate Lee Hall

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) -- The state of Tennessee carried out the execution of death row inmate Lee Hall by means of electrocution Thursday evening. Hall was pronounced dead at 7:26 p.m. at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.

“People can learn forgiveness and love to make this world a better place,” the convicted murderer muttered as his last words.

Before the large sponge was placed over his head and the black veil was clipped over the death row inmate's face, FOX 17 News reporter AJ Abell said Hall was looking around the room and not focused on any particular person or item. Attorneys for the death row inmate told the Associated Press that Hall is the second blind person to be executed in the country since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. He became blind from glaucoma while serving time in prison.

What sounded like an elevator humming filled the room as Hall sat buckled into Tennessee's electric chair. The first jolt of electricity released at 7:19 p.m. accompanied by what media witnesses described as smoke above the right side of Hall's head. After Hall's body slightly slumped, the second current lifted him back up followed by more smoke over the right side of Hall's head.

Hall, 53, was convicted in 1991 for the murder of Traci Crozier in Chattanooga. Hall lit a container filled with gasoline and a paper towel and tossed it inside a car that Crozier was inside. The explosion left Crozier with burns on more than 90% of her body, reports say. She passed away in the hospital from her injuries.

Stacie Wooten traveled to Nashville to watch the execution of her sister's killer.

"The day has come and gone now, the day my family has waited on for 28 years. Now our family’s peace can begin, but another family’s hell has to begin," Wooten announced after the execution. "Today will not bring my sister or my dad’s daughter back, but now may she find her peace in heaven with our mom. She will always be greatly missed by her family and everyone who knew her, but hopefully today and in this monstrous life, will bring some peace within everyone who has had to suffer throughout these 28 years without my beautiful sister. We all fought this battle for you Traci and today we won.”

Lee Hall's family insisted that both families had lost.

"We have all lost, but we find peace in knowing they are both with the Lord," a statement from the family said.

Hall's brother also attended the execution. Hall's attorney, John Spragens, read a statement on the family's behalf.

"We are devastated by the loss of Traci and now Lee," the statement said in part. "He admitted the truth and accepted his punishment. He also accepted Jesus Christ."

Governor Bill Lee declined to intervene in Hall’s execution, issuing the following statement on his decision:

“The justice system has extensively reviewed Lee Hall’s case over the course of almost 30 years, including additional review and rulings by the Tennessee Supreme Court yesterday and today. The judgment and sentence stand based on these rulings, and I will not intervene in this case.”

Hall was placed under death watch Tuesday and received his final meal Thursday just hours before the execution. He requested a Philly cheesesteak, two orders of onion rings, a slice of cheesecake and a Pepsi for his last meal.