Texas executed its first inmate since a failed lethal injection attempt in Tennessee, carrying out Jamaal Howard by injection in Huntsville. The execution marks the first in the U.S. since Christa Pike's botched attempt in September.
Howard, 46, was put to death after a 45-mile drive to the death chamber, where he engaged in small talk with officers. His attorneys had sought to block the execution, citing concerns about execution drugs and intellectual disability, but the court denied their requests.
The execution follows a pattern of lethal injection use across the U.S., with Florida leading in 2026. Texas plans two more executions this year, while Tennessee has halted its remaining scheduled execution.
Pike survived the failed injection, with her attorneys seeking clarification on the incident. Howard's execution was confirmed despite legal challenges, highlighting ongoing debates over capital punishment methods and ethical concerns.