Emergency calls from botched Christa Pike execution released to US media
Emergency call recordings from the botched execution of Christa Pike have been released, revealing confusion among first responders. Dispatchers initially questioned if the calls were a prank or a swatting attempt while the inmate remained alive.
Why it matters
The incident raises serious ethical and procedural questions regarding the administration of the death penalty in the United States.
Emergency calls from botched Christa Pike execution released to US media Close A series of newly-released calls after the failed execution of US death row inmate Christa Pike reveal emergency services were delayed by first responders' confusion whether calls were real or a "prank".
The recordings, obtained by the Associated Press, show officials trying to get more information about the incident.
"We are trying to find out if that is an actual thing that is happening and we need to send an ambulance and, or if you need police assistance or if this is someone that is just basically prank calling or, like, swatting us," one dispatcher can be heard saying during a call.
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