FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2006

GREGORY THOMPSON EXECUTION ADVISORY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - In accordance with state law, the Department of Correction is now accepting applications from recognized news organizations to serve as statutorily required witnesses for the scheduled execution of death row inmate Gregory Thompson.

Although a current stay of execution is in place (issued by the federal district court on January 5, 2006), the department needs to make the necessary preparations to carry out an execution on the most recent scheduled date of February 7, 2006, in the event that the stay of execution is lifted before the end of the day.

Seven media witnesses and two alternates will be selected by the Tennessee Department of Correction during an open drawing to be held at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution located at 7475 Cockrill Bend Boulevard, Nashville, Tenn.  The drawing will take place Friday, February 3 at 2 p.m. CST.

How to submit an application:

1. Download and complete the media witness application form available on the media page of TDOC's web site at http://www.state.tn.us/correction/newsreleases/executions.html

2. FAX the completed form back to Dianne Travis at Riverbend no later than 9 a.m. CST on February 3 (FAX #615-350-3400)

3. Save a copy of your transaction verification as confirmation that your FAX has been received.

The drawing will be conducted in accordance with the Rules of the Tennessee Department of Correction Adult Services Division, Chapter 0420-3-4, under the authority of TCA 40-23-116, which are available for review on the TDOC web site.  Only one application will be permitted from each news organization.

Send comments and questions to TDOC's Webmaster.