WPLN: With victims on his mind, this Tennessee man shows up to voice support for executions
Rick Laude at Byron Black’s execution on August 5, 2025
Photo by Tasha A.F. Lemley
The first time I saw Rick Laude, it was 2019. He’s alone in a field outside Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. In contrast to the maybe four dozen or more vigil attendees in the “against” side during Donnie Johnson’s execution, Laude has his hands on his hips on the other side of the fence — by himself — supporting the execution.
Many years later, I got the nerve to talk with him.