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Tennessee's prisons chief resigns after botched execution of death row inmate Christa Pike
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Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced on Saturday (October 3) that the head of Tennessee’s prison system is resigning, following the failed execution of Christa Pike.
Christa Gail Pike survived two attempts at administering the lethal injection on Wednesday (September 30), and has remained in hospital since.
According to Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada, stepping aside 'is in the best interests' of the state, as per CNN.
The decision comes as an independent review is carried out to find out why Pike's execution failed.
Pike was set to become the first woman in over 200 years to be executed in Tennessee, but two attempts to administer the lethal injection failed to end her life.
According to her lawyers, doctors were working to save her life, as of Thursday.
The 50-year-old was convicted 30 years ago after killing fellow Job Corps student Colleen Slemmer.