Leroy (Lee) Hall, Jr., Tennessee

Lee chose to be executed by the electric chair, as opposed to lethal injection. Prior to 1999, the standard method of execution in Tennessee was the electric chair and all inmates sentenced to death were sentenced to die by electrocution. After 1999, lethal injection became the standard method for execution and inmates sentenced prior to 1999, are given the option to choose by which method their execution will be carried out.

Lee’s family moved frequently during his childhood, preventing him from having a stable childhood. As an adult, Lee abused drugs and alcohol.

In December of 1984, Traci Crozier and Lee Hall met, and began dating shortly thereafter. They moved in together in January of 1986, and lived together continuously until March of 1991. Following Traci’s move to her grandmother’s and uncle’s home, Hall would frequently try and contact her, often late at night. He also lit her car on fire twice after their breakup.

On April 16, 1991, after drinking a case of beer, Hall drove around looking for Traci. When he saw her in her car, he went to talk to her and try and persuade her to move back in with him. When she refused, Hall got mad and told Traci to get out of the car because he was going to burn it. Traci tried to grab her keys and leave, however Hall grabbed the keys first and threw them from the vehicle.

Traci refused to get out of the car. Hall went to his vehicle and grabbed a container filled with gasoline and some paper towels. He stuffed the paper towels in the opening of the container and lit them. He then threw the gas bomb into the vehicle, knowing Traci was still inside. Hall alleges that he saw Traci exit the vehicle and roll on the ground to extinguish the flames. Hall then says he fled when he saw a figure approaching him.

Neighbors described what they saw that night as a ball of fire exploding in the street. One neighbor called emergency services while another neighbor helped a burning Traci exit the vehicle and helped extinguish the flames on her body. While waiting for emergency assistance, Traci was able to tell the neighbors that Hall was the one who had thrown a “gas bomb” on her.

Traci suffered burns on 95 percent of her body, with only the soles of her feet remaining unburnt. Traci died in a hospital several hours later. She remained conscious and in pain for the majority of that time, as medication was not strong enough to alleviate the severe pain. The doctor who treated her said that she never had a chance of recovering.

Hall was convicted and sentenced to death on March 11, 1992. While in prison, Hall changed his name from Leroy Hall Jr., to Lee Hall.

Lee has had several previous execution dates, all of which had been stayed. His most recent previous execution date, January 12, 2016, was stayed due to legal issues regarding the execution drugs to be used.

Please pray for peace and healing for the family of Traci. Please pray for strength for the family of Lee.