Spiegel Ausland51 minutes agoCrime1 min readGermanyView original

Botched execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee

After the failure of the lethal injection execution, criticism of the prison authorities and the qualifications of the staff is growing.

death penalty Tennessee Christa Pike

Quick Look

The execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee failed after two lethal injections.
The convict survived and is receiving medical care.
The incident sparks a debate about the death penalty and the competence of the authorities; the head of the prison authority resigns.

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Why It Matters

Christa Pike was convicted of murdering a classmate over 30 years ago. It was Tennessee's first attempt to execute a woman in 200 years.

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Elijah Carll, journalist:

“One of the journalists was just talking to this group of reporters. There was a loud siren wailing in the background and everyone turned their heads. All the cameras were focused on the fire trucks and ambulances pouring through the prison gates and rushing to the administration building.

This is how Elijah Carll, US reporter from Tennessee, experienced the botched execution of Christa Pike last week. Pike was convicted of murdering a classmate over 30 years ago as an 18-year-old. She was scheduled to be executed last Wednesday, but survived two lethal injections. It was the first attempt by the state of Tennessee to carry out a death sentence on a woman in 200 years.

Tori Gessner, journalist:

“She was clearly still alive. She was obviously still breathing and snoring, we could clearly hear that. Three minutes later the curtains opened again. At this point she was snoring very loudly, with her mouth open.”

After the botched execution, criticism of the qualifications and training of the personnel involved grew. According to reports from the New York Times, among others, the doctor in charge was also involved in another failed execution attempt in Tennessee. The head of the Tennessee Department of Corrections announced his resignation over the weekend.

Randy Spike, attorney for Christa Pike:

“The state of Tennessee has shown us once again that it is unable to carry out an execution consistent with basic human dignity. It was cruel and torture-like.”

The case reignites the debate in the USA about lethal injection as a method of execution and the death penalty as a whole. Christa Pike is currently being treated in a hospital.