2 hours ago
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee governor ordered an outside investigation and halted executions late Wednesday, hours after an inmate survived a lethal injection attempt.
Tennessee officials were unable to put Christa Gail Pike to death for a 1995 murder after administering two doses of a lethal drug. A death penalty expert said it was an unprecedented failure.
Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement that he has ordered "a comprehensive, third-party review to determine exactly what occurred" and that scheduled executions will not be carried out this year.
"Carrying out a lawfully imposed sentence is among the State's most serious responsibilities, and the people of Tennessee expect it to be done in a manner that is not only legal and constitutional, but is effective," he said.
Tennessee only has one other execution scheduled this year.
#tennessee #death #year
Tennessee officials were unable to put Christa Gail Pike to death for a 1995 murder after administering two doses of a lethal drug. A death penalty expert said it was an unprecedented failure.
Gov. Bill Lee said in a statement that he has ordered "a comprehensive, third-party review to determine exactly what occurred" and that scheduled executions will not be carried out this year.
"Carrying out a lawfully imposed sentence is among the State's most serious responsibilities, and the people of Tennessee expect it to be done in a manner that is not only legal and constitutional, but is effective," he said.
Tennessee only has one other execution scheduled this year.
#tennessee #death #year
