Tennessee's top prison official resigns after failed execution of Christa Pike

The head of prisons for the state of Tennessee, Frank Strada, has resigned from his position after the botched execution of convict Christa Pike last Wednesday.

"It's in the best interest of the state," said Strada, who is resigning from office while an independent investigation has been launched into what could have happened with the botched lethal injection.

"Serving as commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Corrections has been a great honor, and I continue to believe that the department carried out its responsibilities in accordance with established protocol," Strada said.

"Still, stepping aside is in the best interest of Tennesseans while the independent investigation moves forward," he said. "I believe this investigation is entirely appropriate and necessary, and I am willing to do everything possible to help determine exactly what occurred," Strada added.

Last Wednesday, Christa Pike became the first death row inmate in the United States to undergo an attempted execution by lethal injection and survive.

Pike's attorney, Randy Spivey, who witnessed the proceedings from inside the execution chamber, described what happened as "cruel and torturous." He claimed to have personally counted seven needles inserted into Pike's left arm, "one of which appeared to be bent when it was removed."

Lawyers have alleged that Pike's botched lethal injection was the fifth "botched" execution carried out under Strada's leadership in two states since 2022.