What could happen next in Christa Pike's case?
Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike survived a botched execution attempt, leading to a suspension of all executions in the state for the remainder of the year. Legal experts are now debating whether the state can legally attempt a second execution given the constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
Why it matters
The case highlights significant ethical and legal controversies surrounding the death penalty and the reliability of state-administered lethal injection protocols.
Figure caption, Watch: What we know about Christa Pike’s "unprecedented" recovery after failed execution
The botched execution of Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike has thrust Tennessee's criminal justice system into uncharted territory.
After state officials administered two lethal doses of the drug pentobarbital on 30 September, Pike survived and was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was intubated. Six days later, her lawyers announced she was "conscious and speaking".
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has ordered an independent investigation into what went wrong at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville and suspended all executions for the rest of the year.
The fate of Pike, who has been on death row for 30 years for murdering Colleen Slemmer, now lies in a mysterious grey area.
Also covering this story
10 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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