Execution Controversies Emerge in Tennessee Under New Leadership
The handling of executions in Tennessee has come under scrutiny with recent revelations about the state’s prison chief, Frank Strada, who has a history of overseeing problematic executions in Arizona. Christa Pike, convicted of murder in 1995, survived a failed execution attempt in Tennessee, bringing the issue to the forefront.
Pike was supposed to be executed using pentobarbital, but after two doses, she was still alive and is currently in critical condition at a hospital. This incident has highlighted potential flaws in the execution procedures overseen by Strada, who was appointed in 2023 by Governor Bill Lee.
Prior to his role in Tennessee, Strada served as the deputy director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry from 2020 to 2022. During his tenure, he managed the execution teams and oversaw procedures that faced significant challenges.
Dale Baich, an Arizona State University professor and former federal public defender, noted that in Arizona, three executions were carried out in 2022 with two experiencing major IV access issues. “And we know that in 2022, there were three executions that were carried out. And two of them had significant IV access problems that occurred in the lead-up to the execution,” Baich stated.
These problems mirror those in Tennessee with Pike and another inmate, Tony Carruthers, whose execution was postponed due to similar IV concerns. “So there’s a history of incompetence,” Baich added.
When approached for a comment, Strada refrained from responding through a spokeswoman from the Tennessee Department of Corrections. “We do not have a comment at this time,” said spokeswoman Dorinda Carter.
Governor Lee has paused all executions for the remainder of the year and announced a third-party investigation, as reported by WPLN News. However, he did not address questions regarding his decision to appoint Strada and any accountability he might bear, according to WSMV 4, an NBC affiliate in Nashville.
“The Department of Correction followed exactly the protocol that was outlined, and vetted, and approved by the Attorney General’s Office,” Lee stated. “At this point, that is all we know. Which is the very reason why we will have an investigation.”
In a related development, Arizona’s execution processes have also been under review. Governor Katie Hobbs resumed executions in 2025 following an incomplete review conducted by retired federal judge David Duncan, who concluded that “lethal injection is not a viable method of execution in actual practice,” as per KJZZ.
KJZZ’s Lauren Gilger contributed to this report.
