Tennessee inmate Christa Pike survived a botched execution attempt, marking the first known survival of lethal injection in modern history. She is now in critical condition, on a ventilator, and receiving lifesaving care after two failed attempts by state executioners.
Pike, 50, was injected with two doses of pentobarbital during the Wednesday execution attempt, which left her unconscious and on a ventilator. Her attorneys allege issues with IV lines caused the drug to enter her body instead of her bloodstream, leading to a second dose being administered.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has temporarily paused executions, citing the need for a third-party review. Pike, who was sentenced to death in 1996 for murdering Colleen Slemmer, is believed to be the first person to survive lethal injection in the modern era.
The incident has reignited debates over the death penalty's morality and execution methods, with concerns about Pike's medical condition and the feasibility of future executions.