No-one has ever survived a lethal injection — Christa Pike may not either
As death row inmate Christa Pike remains in hospital following a failed lethal injection, we take a closer look at the track record for botched executions in the US.
Days after receiving two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital, death row inmate Christa Pike remains alive.
Her attempted execution, which made headlines around the world, left many wondering: how often does a death penalty go badly wrong?
In the United States, the answer is: more often than you think.
And what happened to Christa Pike should concern even those who are in favour of the death penalty, according to Julian Koplin, a lecturer in bioethics at the Monash Bioethics Centre.
"If you are in favour of the death penalty, you think that in principle, [for] certain kinds of crimes … it might be proportionate justice for you to lose your own life," Dr Koplin told the ABC.
"But that's not to say it would be appropriate to torture someone.
"Executions themselves are not meant to be overly painful.
"We don't still burn people at the stake."
276
The estimated number of botched executions in the US between 1890 and 2010.
7.2 per cent
The estimated rate of botched lethal injections since 1976.
'Ghastly, uncomfortable' questions about death sentences
It's still unclear what exactly went wrong during Christa Pike's execution.
The Tennessee Department of Corrections team responsible for establishing intravenous (IV) lines used at least seven syringes in their attempt, according to an emergency motion filed by Pike's legal team.
At least one needle was allegedly bent "in a 90-degree angle" when it was removed.
Three hours
The length of the longest botched lethal injection execution in history.
Some experts have speculated the drug entered the tissue in Pike's arm, rather than entering the vein.
After arriving at a Nashville hospital, both her arms were found to be "swollen, burned, and blistered".
"Ms Pike's experts have compared pentobarbital to 'bleach' or 'Drano'," court documents said.
"It is caustic and highly alkaline and burns upon contact, including skin, tissue, and veins."
She remains intubated and on a ventilator, according to her legal team, who say it may be several days before her full condition is known.
2,100
The number of people on death row in the United States.
52 per cent
of Americans find the death penalty morally acceptable. That's a 50-year low.
Pike was sentenced to death in 1996 after murdering classmate Colleen Slemmer, when Pike was 18 years old.
It remains unclear whether Tennessee officials will try for another execution attempt.
But that has not stopped debate about the death penalty in the state and nationally from raging.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has ordered an independent review of the incident, putting the only other execution scheduled for this year on hold.
US Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, vying to take Mr Lee's place as governor in upcoming elections, called the situation "tragic".
"While there should be a thorough review … the answer is simple," she said.
"Bring back the electric chair."
Dr Koplin said it was not that simple.
"Part of the problem [is that] most attempted methods of execution have a pretty grisly history of working out," he said.
"Including prisoners catching on fire when the electric chair has been attempted.
"They are the kind of ghastly, uncomfortable things to read about."
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