Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has refused to change the death sentence for Christa Pike. This comes after a lethal injection attempt went wrong last Wednesday. Pike survived two doses of the drug pentobarbital. She is now conscious and able to speak. Her lawyers say this recovery is medically unprecedented, according to the New York Post.
The state has paused all executions scheduled for this year. But the governor has not ruled out putting Pike to death later. He faces a situation no one has seen before. Since 1947, when a teenager named Willie Francis survived an electric chair, the US Supreme Court has never ruled on whether trying to execute someone a second time violates the constitution.
Pike’s legal team wants the death penalty removed from her case. They filed an emergency motion in Davidson County Chancery Court last week. The motion says Pike was heard crying and whimpering during the failed attempt. It states her arms were swollen, burned, and blistered.
Her attorney, Randy Spivey, said doctors worked for an hour to start an IV line. He noted that at least seven needles were used. One of them appeared to be bent when pulled from her arm. Spivey said he had no idea when medical professionals began to assist her. He claimed the state continued efforts despite warnings given in court months earlier.
Stephen Ferrell, another lawyer for Pike, spoke to CNN on Sunday. He said, “I don’t think that attempting another execution is going to bring justice.” He wants the state to look for a different future for her. His team plans to keep asking Governor Lee to commute the sentence to life in prison.
Governor Lee says his job is clear. He told reporters that his “responsibility is to uphold the sentences that Tennessee juries have handed down.” He believes the people of Tennessee decided the death penalty fits the worst crimes.
Lee ordered an independent review of the botched event. This is the second time he has postponed the state’s only remaining execution in seven years. He has not made a final call on whether Pike will die again.
Experts say the legal path is unclear. Robin Maher of the Death Penalty Information Center spoke to USA Today on Tuesday. She said, “These are questions that have never needed to be asked before and no one knows the answers.” She suspects a second attempt would likely be unconstitutional.
Despite the unknowns, the governor’s stance remains steady. Maher added, “Of all the unknowns we have at the moment, the only thing I’m certain of is that she should not be subject to a second one.” She noted that Pike has already endured a torturous experience in that execution chamber. The state now holds the power to decide if justice is served by waiting or by acting again.
