Lawyer Calls 911 After Tennessee Execution Fails, Prison Chaos Unfolds

A lethal-injection attempt on death-row inmate Christa Pike at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution faltered, leaving her alive after receiving two doses of pentobarbital. Initial 911 calls from the prison were dismissed as false, causing minutes of uncertainty before officials confirmed the emergency. Attorney Kelly Gleason ultimately placed a direct 911 call, leading to an ambulance entering the facility at about 9:11 p.m. Pike was transported to a hospital, placed on a ventilator, and discharged on October 10 before returning to custody.

The Tennessee Department of Correction has not explained the malfunction, and Governor Bill Lee has halted additional execution attempts while a review proceeds. Medical experts have suggested possible drug quality or IV placement issues, and Pike’s prior claim of a blood disorder was noted.