The last use of the electric chair occurred in 2019 in Tennessee for a voluntary execution. This event marked a rare moment in modern capital punishment history. If you are wondering when was the electric chair last used, the answer is more recent than many people realize.
Electric chairs are not common today. Most states use lethal injection instead. But some places still keep the chair as a backup option.
When Was The Electric Chair Last Used
The exact date was February 20, 2019. The execution took place at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, Tennessee. The inmate was 58-year-old David Earl Miller.
Miller had been on death row for decades. He was convicted for the 1981 murder of 23-year-old Lee Standifer. He chose the electric chair over lethal injection because he feared the pain of needles.
Why Did Tennessee Use The Electric Chair In 2019
Tennessee law gives inmates a choice. They can pick lethal injection or the electric chair. If lethal injection is found unconstitutional, the electric chair becomes the default method.
In 2018, Tennessee executed three people by electric chair. All three had chosen it voluntarily. Miller was the fourth and last person to die this way in the state.
How The 2019 Execution Worked
- Miller was strapped into the chair at 7:27 PM local time.
- A leather mask was placed over his face.
- Two electrical shocks were applied, each lasting about 20 seconds.
- He was pronounced dead at 7:27 PM, just seconds after the first shock.
The whole process was quick. Witnesses reported no visible struggle or unusual movements.
History Of The Electric Chair In The United States
The electric chair was first used in 1890 in New York. William Kemmler was the first person executed this way. It was seen as a more humane alternative to hanging.
Over the years, the chair became a symbol of capital punishment. By the mid-20th century, it was the primary execution method in many states.
When Did States Start Moving Away From The Electric Chair
Lethal injection became popular in the 1980s. It was seen as more modern and less painful. By the 1990s, most states had switched to injection.
- Nebraska used the electric chair until 2008. It was the last state to rely on it as the sole method.
- Virginia used the chair until 2010. Inmates could choose it over injection.
- Kentucky used it as a backup option until 2021.
- South Carolina still has the electric chair as a legal option, but has not used it since 2008.
Today, only a few states still have electric chairs. Most have not used them in years.
States That Still Allow The Electric Chair
As of 2024, these states have electric chair laws on the books:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Florida
- Kentucky
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia (though executions are paused)
But having a law does not mean the chair is used. Most of these states have not executed anyone by electric chair in over a decade.
Is The Electric Chair Still Considered Humane
This is a hotly debated topic. Supporters say it is quick and reliable. Critics argue it can cause severe pain and burning.
In several past executions, witnesses reported smoke, flames, and prolonged suffering. This has led to legal challenges. Courts have generally allowed the chair to remain as an option, but its use has declined sharply.
Notable Electric Chair Executions In Recent History
Here are some key cases since 2000:
- 2001: Lynda Lyon Block in Alabama. She was the last woman executed by electric chair.
- 2008: James Earl Reed in South Carolina. He was the last person executed by electric chair in that state.
- 2013: Robert Gleason in Virginia. He chose the chair over injection.
- 2018: Three executions in Tennessee: Billy Ray Irick, Edmund Zagorski, and David Earl Miller (Miller was in 2019).
These cases show that the electric chair is not completly gone, but it is rare.
Why Inmates Sometimes Choose The Electric Chair
You might wonder why anyone would pick the chair over lethal injection. Here are common reasons:
- Fear of needles or pain from injection.
- Belief that the chair is faster.
- Religious or personal objections to drugs.
- Legal strategy to challenge the method.
In Tennessee, several inmates chose the chair because they did not trust the state’s lethal injection drugs. They saw the chair as a known quantity.
What Happens During An Electric Chair Execution
The process is straightforward but intense:
- The inmate is strapped into the chair with leather belts.
- Electrodes are attached to the head and leg.
- A wet sponge is placed on the head electrode to improve conduction.
- A switch is thrown, sending about 2,000 volts through the body.
- Multiple shocks are given over a short period.
Death usually occurs within seconds due to cardiac arrest and brain damage.
Future Of The Electric Chair
It is unlikely the electric chair will make a comeback. Lethal injection remains the standard. But shortages of injection drugs have led some states to look at alternatives.
South Carolina recently passed a law requiring inmates to choose between the electric chair and a firing squad. This shows that the chair is still seen as a viable backup.
However, public opinion is shifting. Many people now view the electric chair as outdated and cruel. Legal challenges continue to limit its use.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the last electric chair execution in the United States
The last electric chair execution was on February 20, 2019, in Tennessee. David Earl Miller was the inmate.
How many people have been executed by electric chair
Over 4,000 people have been executed by electric chair in the United States since 1890. The number has dropped sharply since the 1990s.
Is the electric chair still legal in any state
Yes, eight states still have electric chair laws. But most have not used it in years. Tennessee is the only state to use it since 2013.
Can inmates choose the electric chair over lethal injection
In some states, yes. Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia allow inmates to choose. Other states have the chair as a backup if injection is unavailable.
Why is the electric chair considered controversial
Critics say it causes unnecessary pain and suffering. There have been botched executions where inmates caught fire or took minutes to die. Supporters say it is quick and reliable when done correctly.
So, when was the electric chair last used? It was 2019 in Tennessee. That execution may well be the last one for a long time. But as long as the law allows it, the chair remains a posibility.
