During a debate in the House of Representatives' Criminal Justice Committee on the use of firing squad as a method of execution, Representative Paul Sherrell made a comment about including hanging by a tree as an additional method of execution. This comment is seen as celebrating a form of racialized violence used against African Americans, including innocent and wrongfully convicted persons. Lynchings were widespread in many parts of the South, exemplifying anti-Black violence. Studies have shown that Blacks are disproportionately executed, especially when the alleged victim is White. Sherrell's comment is seen as being tinged with racism and promoting racialized violence. Demands have been made for an apology from Sherrell and for the House leadership to condemn such statements.