Upon the convict being brought before the court, it shall inquire into the circumstances, and, if no legal reason exists against the execution of the sentence, shall order the warden of the state penitentiary in which the death chamber is located to execute the defendant on a day to be fixed by the court.
Code 1858, § 5281; impl. am. Acts 1909, ch. 500, § 1; Shan., § 7261; Code 1932, § 11863; T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 40-3123; Acts 1985 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 5, § 17.