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Tennessee Execution Halted After Christa Pike Survived Lethal Injection

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 2:44 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Christa Pike Survives

Christa Pike survived a lethal-injection execution after receiving two doses of pentobarbital.
Responders waited over 30 minutes after the 8:40 p.m. call before verification at 9:11 p.m.
Governor Bill Lee halted all Tennessee executions for 2026 and ordered an independent review.
Death Penalty Information Center said Pike is the first U.S. person to survive lethal injection.
Lawyers are urging Governor Lee to commute her sentence to life without parole, citing cruelty.

Summary

Attorney Gleason Alerts

Dispatchers called the 911 call a false alarm because callers lacked the required security verification code.
Attorney Kelly Gleason phoned at 9:08 p.m. to inform dispatch that Pike was alive and needed care.
Fire trucks and an ambulance arrived at 9:14 p.m. but waited outside for a security escort and the code.
Nashville Emergency Communications Center released the 911 audio after an AP public-records request and redacted portions.

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Christa Pike Survives

Christa Pike survived a lethal-injection execution after receiving two doses of pentobarbital.
Responders waited over 30 minutes after the 8:40 p.m. call before verification at 9:11 p.m.
Governor Bill Lee halted all Tennessee executions for 2026 and ordered an independent review.
Death Penalty Information Center said Pike is the first U.S. person to survive lethal injection.
Lawyers are urging Governor Lee to commute her sentence to life without parole, citing cruelty.

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