Criminal Justice· ProPublica

I’ve Covered Death Row Cases for Nearly a Decade. What Happened to Christa Pike Wasn’t an Anomaly.

By Keri Blakinger, ProPublica · October 6, 2026

Over the course of two hours, witnesses watched and listened as Christa Pike cried, whimpered and snored through Tennessee’s attempt to execute her. By the end of it, executioners had given her two doses of the state’s lethal injection drugs. Her arms were swollen and blistered, and one had turned purple, her…

Continue readingRead the full story at ProPublica

I’ve Covered Death Row Cases for Nearly a Decade. What Happened to Christa Pike Wasn’t an Anomaly.

More in Criminal Justice

Four Kids in One Faith-Healing Family Died. Authorities Could Do Nothing.

Across the Country, Youth Prisons Are Closing. This State Is Building More.

Judge Denies Efforts to End Oversight of Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office as Racial Profiling of Latinos Persists