What Does Christa Pike's Failed Execution Reveal About the Death Penalty?

The state of Tennessee attempted to execute Christa Pike, an inmate who was sentenced to death for a first-degree murder she committed in 1995, on Sept. 30. The lethal injection failed, and Pike has been in critical condition at a hospital since the attempted execution. The failed execution has prompted opinions across the spectrum over cruel and unusual punishment and the ethics of the death penalty.

A Failure of the State: Tacuma Roeback, writing for The Tennessean (Center bias), argued that Pike's failed execution fits "a larger pattern" in Tennessee's history. Roeback highlighted a similar failed execution by lethal injection that left Tony Carruthers alive but paralyzed in May. In light of these failures, as well as other examples of improper procedures and protocols, Roeback wrote, "Given the demonstrated incompetence of how the death penalty is administered in this state, can we really trust that another review will result in substantive, corrective change?" Ultimately, he argued that Tennesseans should "aspire for a process that is just, merciful and efficient," and that the governor should ponder these questions before allowing another execution.

A 'Moral Stain' On the Country: USA Today (Lean Left) writer Rex Huppke (Left) argued that "state and federal governments should not be in the business of killing people." Huppke wrestled with the morality and ethics of the death penalty, writing that "we still haven't reckoned with the fact that not wanting our government to kill criminals isn't the same as wanting a murderer to live." He also pointed to research suggesting that the death penalty does not effectively deter crimes and gave an example of an execution he witnessed, which he said revealed the "issue of how fairly the death penalty is administered." Ultimately, Huppke argued that though he condemns the crimes these people have committed, the death penalty "fixes nothing" and instead "erodes our souls" as the US allows it to continue.

Pike Deserved to Die: Charles Cooke (Right) wrote an opinion for National Review (Right) explaining how his opinion on the death penalty has changed over time. Cooke highlighted the details of Pike's crime, which included mutilating and beating the victim's body beyond recognition before killing her, and wrote that he "cannot summon any other strong feelings than that she does not deserve to live." Cooke argued that he wants to see "a fair trial that respects the edicts of the Constitution and that privileges the defendant in all the ways that the Constitution demands," but that being liberal on criminal procedure does not require him to be liberal in sentencing. Cooke also questioned the sentencing methods in countries that do not have the death penalty, writing that they are "weak on crime in general" and that criminals of Pike's nature need to be executed or locked up "with no caveats and no opportunity for parole."

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