Federal Judge Curtis Collier on Wednesday morning ordered the death penalty for a 24-year-old Atlanta man convicted in the murder of restaurant operator Guy Luck in Collegedale in 2004.
Judge Collier said he was required to abide by the jury ruling of death for Rejon Taylor.
No date was set for the execution.
Judge Collier said the execution will be carried out under Tennessee law as directed by the U.S. Bureau of Prisons director.
It was the first federal death penalty case in East Tennessee.
The defense had asked Judge Collier to consider commuting the sentence to life in prison.
Taylor was convicted along with Sir Jack Matthews and Joey Marshall of abducting the owner of a French restaurant from his Buckhead home and driving him across the Tennessee line.
Prosecutors said Matthews shot at the victim first, then, after his gun jammed, Taylor turned around from the driver's seat of the victim's van and shot the restaurant operator in the mouth. He died a short time later at Erlanger Hospital.
The defense said it had been planned to let the hostage out, but he started struggling with them. Taylor has been represented by attorneys Bill Ortwein, Lee Ortwein, Howell Clements and Leslie Cory.
Judge Collier said he had been contacted by Elizabeth Ford, who heads the local federal public defender office. He said Ms. Ford recommends that on appeal Taylor be represented by Ms. Cory and that attorney Berry J. Fischer of New York be the lead counsel.
Attorney Bill Ortwein recommended instead that the defense team on appeal be either Ms. Cory or Lee Ortwein along with attorney Paul Cross, an associate of attorney Clements. Judge Collier asked attorney Cross to submit data on his experience with handling death penalty cases. Attorney Bill Ortwein said attorney Clements could assist attorney Cross in the case. Taylor was asked his preference, and he said he would like attorney Cory and attorney Cross.
Judge Collier said he will rule later, but likely will name Ms. Cory as one of the attorneys for the appeal.
Attorney Bill Ortwein said he will assist with the appeal without charge.