Tennessee prison chief Frank Strada resigned after a botched execution of death row inmate Christa Pike. The state suspended all executions for the remainder of the year following the failed attempt.
Strada submitted his resignation after the failed execution of Pike, who survived two previous attempts and is now critically ill in a Nashville hospital. Lawyer Stephen Ferrell confirmed Pike is on a ventilator and her prognosis remains unclear.
The state's Department of Correction defended the execution protocol, stating it does not allow for additional procedures. Pike's lawyers had warned of potential complications due to her medical history. The governor has not yet decided whether to attempt the execution again.
Pike's lawyer called for the death sentence to be commuted to a life sentence, citing her prolonged imprisonment and the uncertainty surrounding her condition.