Tennessee Gov. Lee: Christa Pike's Death Sentence Remains After Botched Execution
The governor stated that Pike's status stays unchanged unless courts intervene, following the failed lethal injection in September.
By Petra Murphy ·
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee stated that Christa Pike's death sentence remains in effect following the failed execution attempt in September, unless the courts rule otherwise.
Lee made these remarks on Wednesday in response to questions about whether the state would attempt a second execution or commute Pike's sentence to life imprisonment. He noted that Pike is still incarcerated under state law. "I suspect her sentence will be the same as before unless determined otherwise by the courts," Lee said.
Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer. The execution attempt failed after she survived two doses of the lethal injection drug. The incident marks the second botched execution in Tennessee this year. Pike has returned to prison after a hospital stay during which her condition improved. She is now able to speak in full sentences and walk without assistance.
Following the failed procedure, Lee paused all executions through the end of the year to determine what went wrong. Frank Strada resigned as commissioner of the Department of Correction in the aftermath. Lee indicated that Strada will leave his post by the end of the month.
Lee expects to announce a replacement for Strada within the next few days. The governor has not yet decided on a final action regarding Pike's status beyond the current legal standing.
