Failed execution of Christa Pike: Tennessee's prisons chief resigns, experts call a retry uncharted legal territory
Summary
Tennessee's attempt to execute death row inmate Christa Pike failed on Wednesday 30 September, and the governor announced on 3 October that the head of the state's prison system, Frank Strada, is resigning. Strada said stepping aside 'is in the best interests' of the state as an independent review is carried out to determine why the execution failed. On 4 October her lawyer said she had not regained consciousness: she remained on a ventilator in a hospital, under guard, as doctors try to get the massive dose of the barbiturate pentobarbital out of her system. Experts say trying to execute her again would push into uncharted legal territory, and it is unclear whether the state will try again.
Latest: Experts say trying to execute Christa Pike again would push into uncharted legal territory, and it is unclear whether Tennessee will try again.
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How it unfolded
Thursday 8 October
Experts say trying to execute Christa Pike again would push into uncharted legal territory, and it is unclear whether Tennessee will try again.
Wednesday 7 October
The New York Times recounted what happened when Tennessee tried to execute Christa Pike.
- 20:48The Philadelphia InquirerTrying to execute Christa Pike again would push into uncharted legal territory, experts say
- 13:30The NY TimesWhat happened when Tennessee tried to execute Christa Pike.
Sunday 4 October
Christa Pike remains unconscious and on a ventilator in a Tennessee hospital after the failed execution attempt.
- 12:53ABC NewsChrista Pike's lawyer says she has not regained consciousness since her failed Tennessee execution
- 12:13LA TimesChrista Pike has not regained consciousness since failed execution
- 11:56PBS NewsHourChrista Pike's lawyer says she has not regained consciousness since her failed Tennessee execution
Saturday 3 October
The governor announced that Frank Strada, head of Tennessee's prison system, is resigning after the failed execution of Christa Pike, whose attorneys said she remained unconscious on a ventilator.
- 14:45The Philadelphia InquirerTennessee's prisons chief is resigning after failed execution of Christa Pike
- 12:11LA TimesTennessee prisons chief resigning after failed execution
- 11:57CBS NewsTennessee prison system head to resign after failed Christa Pike execution
- 11:48ABC NewsGovernor says Tennessee's prisons chief is resigning after failed execution of Christa Pike
- 11:41PBS NewsHourGovernor says Tennessee's prisons chief is resigning after failed execution of Christa Pike
- 11:36The Philadelphia InquirerGovernor says Tennessee's prisons chief is resigning after failed execution of Christa Pike
- 11:24The Philadelphia InquirerHead of Tennessee's prison system to resign after failed execution of Christa Pike, governor announces