Tennessee prison chief who oversaw botched execution resigns: governor

The prison commissioner in Tennessee, Frank Strada, has resigned following the botched execution of Christa Pike, a convicted murderer. Governor Bill Lee announced Strada's departure, stating that the state will halt further executions until a review is conducted. Pike, who survived two lethal injections intended to execute her for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer, remains in critical condition in a hospital.

This marks the second failed execution in Tennessee this year, with the state previously halting an execution in May due to a vein-tapping failure. Governor Lee thanked Strada for his commitment during this difficult time, yet acknowledged the need for a review. The incident has raised concerns about the execution process, particularly the use of pentobarbital, which would have made Pike the first woman executed by the state in over two centuries if successful.

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