From Slate Magazine · Slate Staff · · 1m 30s
Christa Pike's Execution Method Debate
A death row inmate's survival after botched lethal injection sparks debate on humane execution methods.
In brief
A death row inmate's survival after botched lethal injection sparks debate on humane execution methods. Christa Pike survived a botched lethal injection execution attempt in Tennessee, prompting a Catholic priest who witnessed nine injections to argue firing squads are more humane despite their brutality. Originally…
Christa Pike's execution attempt
Christa Pike survived a botched lethal injection in Tennessee on Sept 30 after two doses of pentobarbital entered her arm tissue instead of bloodstream.
Physician warns of injection pain
Intensive care physician Joel Zivot warned Pike's legal team that lethal injection could cause painful death due to her small veins and blood condition.
Pike in hospital
Pike regained consciousness on Tuesday and is now shackled to a hospital bed after being intubated and placed on a ventilator.
Zivot's view on execution methods
Physician Joel Zivot argues lethal injection hides cruelty by involving healthcare professionals giving it a sheen of modernity and technological sophistication.
Nitrogen execution process
Nitrogen execution involves a mask filled with nitrogen until the person suffocates, causing fluids and saliva to drain from mouth and nose.
Jeff Hood's preference
Catholic priest Jeff Hood, who witnessed nine lethal injections and two nitrogen executions, says firing squads are more humane than both methods despite their brutality.
Hood's choice between methods
Hood would choose firing squads over nitrogen executions or lethal injections as they are quicker and more humane, though all executions are inherently traumatic.
What it means
Christa Pike survived a botched lethal injection execution attempt in Tennessee, prompting a Catholic priest who witnessed nine injections to argue firing squads are more humane despite their brutality.
