Dont ComplyJust the News reports that Tennessee authorities tried earlier this month to execute Christa Pike, who was convicted of the 1995 killing of Colleen Slemmer, but she survived two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital. According to the outlet, Pike's attorneys said she suffered from pneumonia and a blood clot, could not swallow, and could not move her arms or hands after waking. In her first statement since the attempt, Pike said she is in constant pain and is "deeply hurt by the incompetence that has put so many people in this terrible position," as quoted by the Associated Press. Gov. Bill Lee said Thursday that Pike will likely face another execution attempt despite her attorneys' requests for commutation. Lee has halted future executions and ordered a "comprehensive, third-party review to determine exactly what occurred."
Why it matters
The reported failure of a state execution raises questions about how Tennessee carries out lethal injections, and the governor has halted further executions pending an independent review. The outcome could affect how the state administers its death penalty.
These are unproven claims, and everyone named is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Researched with AI assistance from the sources listed here and reviewed under our methodology.