Tennessee’s failure to execute Christa Pike in Wednesday raises a whole lot of questions. Can you provide answers?

I am not a big fan of the death penalty, partly on theological grounds. But we won’t get into that today – and there are those with other theological positions on the subject that I concede have some validity.

Tennessee’s failed execution of Pike not once but twice Wednesday, should have people questioning the state’s ability to do anything. Certainly, judging from news reports, the situation could easily be described as cruel and unusual punishment. Barbaric also comes to mind.

Pike is in hospital as I write this, recovering from two lethal injections that didn’t work. Tennessee may yet try again to execute her.

Leaving aside her crimes and whether she had a fair trial (which does seem a matter for debate), does this seem excessive to you? She was sentenced to die by lethal injection, The state has had its chance, not once but twice. It didn’t get the job done. Do you have any confidence it will get it done the next time? Or will it just torture her some more?

I’m surprised some smart lawyer hasn’t argued that the state has fulfilled its obligation and Pike should be set free. As I understand it, Tennessee law does allow for a prisoner to be executed twice, just in case, but not a third time. Doesn’t that mean her sentence is finished and she should be released?

What does it say about the way the death penalty is administered in Tennessee that the rules or executions acknowledge that a lethal injection might not be lethal? That barbaric word comes back to my mind.

What is your take on the situation> Any thoughts?