‘Troubled Record’: TN Prison Chief Resigns After Botched Execution of Christa Pike

Tennessee’s prison chief Frank Strada will resign from his position following the botched execution of Christa Pike, the state’s Gov. Bill Lee (R) announced Saturday.

Strada oversaw “three problem-plagued executions” in Arizona prior to taking the position in Tennessee, Fox News host Kayleigh McEnany told Fox contributor Joshua Ritter Saturday. She added that Strada’s “troubled record” has become “a focus of inquiries.”

“I know in Texas there were at least two botched executions,” McEnany also said. “I am not sure if he was involved in the other one, this is not the first time this has happened in the state of Tennessee, rather.”

Ritter answered:

Yeah, a you have to start to ask why is that? Is that because they have bad protocols? Is it because the actual people involved in the carrying out of the execution? I know there’s also issues with the inmates are living very sedentary life and sometimes, you know, a person who is not exercising, overeating, it’s difficult to find a vein, whether we need to revalue wait how excuses take place altogether, but right now there’s a moratorium in place in Tennessee, I think that’s smart while they take a look at what they’re doing moving forward and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a kind of a sea change moment where you begin to see other states even evaluating whether or not they have an execution on the books.”

Lee was asked about the decision to hire Strada by reporters Thursday.

“Commissioner Strada oversaw three botched executions in Arizona, and you hired him anyway, and now he’s had two botched executions in Tennessee,” one reporter said. “Do you bear some responsibility for hiring and keeping him?”

“So far as we know, the Department of Corrections followed exactly the protocol that was outlined and vetted and approved by the Attorney General’s office,” Lee answered. “At this point, that is all we know, we will — which is the very reason why we will have an investigation.”

Pike remained alive during what was supposed to be her execution after two rounds of the drug pentobarbital. She was reportedly complaining about a throbbing pain in her head when witnesses were escorted out of the room.

Watch above via Fox News.

The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
The single summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting from both sides of the aisle. Subscribe now!