Tennessee prison chief resigns after botched execution

Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada will resign from his position this month following the botched execution of death row inmate Christa Pike, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said Saturday.

Governor Bill Lee said in a statement that Commissioner Frank Strada will leave his post after the failed execution of Pike on Wednesday.

The execution of Christa Pike, who was convicted of murder, was halted after the lethal injection failed to result in her death. Pike was subsequently taken to hospital for medical treatment.

The incident has prompted scrutiny of Tennessee’s execution procedures and the state agency responsible for carrying them out.

Pike had been scheduled for execution after spending decades on death row. Her case marked the first execution of a woman in Tennessee in more than 200 years.

Governor Bill Lee did not provide further details on the circumstances surrounding Commissioner Frank Strada’s resignation or indicate whether additional disciplinary measures would be taken.

The Tennessee Department of Correction is responsible for administering the state’s prison system and carrying out executions under Tennessee law.