Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
After Botched Execution, Questions Swirl As Tennessee Inmate Receives Lifesaving Care At Vanderbilt Facility
Newsweek: Why Did Christa Pike's Execution Fail? 3 Possible Reasons
State officials have not publicly disclosed Christa Pike's condition. The Tennessean reported Thursday that medical staff were working to save Pike's life, although Vanderbilt University Medical Center declined to comment when contacted by Newsweek and referred questions to the Tennessee Department of Correction. The department told Newsweek: "We are unable to provide information regarding Pike's condition at this time. She remains at an off-site medical facility." (Mollman, Gibbs and Miller, 10/1)
CNN: Christa Pike: What’s Next After Surviving Lethal Injection
There is some legal precedent for inmates who survived an execution being put to death again, said Austin Sarat, an Amherst College professor and author of several books on the death penalty and lethal injection. In a case 80 years ago, 16-year-old Willie Francis survived an execution via the electric chair in Louisiana due to a malfunction. He appealed his case to the US Supreme Court, saying a second execution would violate the double jeopardy clause of the Constitution and the protections against cruel and unusual punishment. The Court rejected his appeal, and he died in a second electric chair execution. (Levenson, 10/2)
The New York Times: Tennessee Botches One Execution After Another, Despite Repeated Warnings
The failed attempt with Christa Pike has intensified bipartisan concerns about Tennessee’s ability to effectively carry out lethal injections. (Rojas, 10/2)
The Hill: Sen. Marsha Blackburn Calls On Tennessee To ‘Bring Back’ Electric Chair After Botched Christa Pike Execution
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on Thursday called on Tennessee to reintroduce the electric chair for executions after death-row prisoner Christa Pike survived two lethal injections the day before. Blackburn, who is the GOP nominee in the Volunteer State’s gubernatorial race, called the botched execution “tragic” and said it prolonged the grief process for victims in this case. (Davis, 10/1)
