Tenn. Republicans turn to electric chair, other methods after execution failure
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The Tennessee State Capitol. Photo: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Top Republicans say they are open to changing Tennessee's approach to the death penalty after the unprecedented failure this week that left Christa Pike alive after two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital.
Why it matters: As fallout from the failed execution continues to mount, more government leaders are discussing substantive policy changes, including new methods for implementing the death penalty.
Catch up quick: Pike survived two rounds of Tennessee's lethal injection drug on Wednesday night. Her attorneys said the skin around the needle turned purple as the execution attempt wore on. She described sharp pain in her arm and the lawyers said burns developed around the injection site.
- Medical experts say that is consistent with an IV that wasn't appropriately connected with a vein, suggesting the pentobarbital did not go directly into her bloodstream and instead went into the surrounding tissue in her arm.
- Gov. Bill Lee ordered an outside review to determine what went wrong and halted the state's next execution scheduled for December.
- Pike remains in the hospital, where her attorneys say she is in critical condition and "receiving lifesaving care."
Driving the news: Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) tells Axios that "[i]f the investigation finds that lethal injection is not a reliable method of carrying out lawful death sentences, we must consider alternative methods and improved protocols."
- House Speaker Cameron Sexton said lawmakers would examine changes to the drugs used in lethal injections, as well as alternative methods.
- U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, the Republican nominee to replace Lee as governor next year, called for Tennessee to "bring back the electric chair." Tennessee House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-Portland) backed her proposal.
Between the lines: Lethal injection is Tennessee's primary execution method, but the state permits electrocution as a backup in certain circumstances.
- Prisoners whose capital offenses occurred before 1999 may choose the electric chair.
- State law also allows it in some cases if prison officials cannot perform a lethal injection.
The big picture: Other states have turned to different methods, often driven by the difficult process of sourcing lethal injection drugs, which major pharmaceutical companies refuse to provide.
- Idaho made firing squad its primary execution method on July 1.
Flashback: A proposal to bring the firing squad to Tennessee stalled in 2023 due to concerns over the cost and logistical hurdles.
The other side: Democrats say the failed execution last week exposes deeper problems that require legislative oversight before executions resume in any capacity.
- "The Department of Correction says it followed every step of its protocol. If that is true, then the protocol itself is a problem," Senate Democratic Leader Raumesh Akbari said in a statement.
- "It is time for the General Assembly to exercise its oversight function over the executive branch."