Surely the problems with Christa Pike’s failed execution rise to the level of cruel and unusual punishment set in the constitution. Can’t believe in 2026 we are still even debating this.

@manton seems to me the double jeopardy law should apply here too, if she was medically dead even for a second, she’s been executed and perhaps has paid her dues.

@manton Has anyone ever survived a hanging? If so, what happened to them? Personally, I’m against the death penalty anyway. It doesn’t bring back the victim, and the whole long drawn out legal procedures delay the closure (for both sides) for decades. Then there are mistakes…

@manton If that doesn’t qualify, I don’t know what would.

@Eyebeemania I’m against it too on principle, and there are just so many problems like this.

@canneddragons Exactly what I was thinking when I first heard this.

@manton there was an op ed in the NYT from an anesthesiologist that was hired by Pike’s legal team. Per that article in TN other death row folks have requested the electric chair instead of lethal injection. He also said that other states are looking more at old-fashioned options like firing squads.

@manton as with many of them the 8th amendment is terribly worded and open to a LOT of interpretation. but what part is “cruel and unusual” in her case? the death penalty is longstanding in many if not most states for people in prison for murder so it’s certainly not unusual. if anything lethal injection should be less cruel. That they botched it is a different story.

@manton and now, apparently, we’re going to have the Army Terrorist executed on Live TV. His crime was certainly henious, but where does that end? Back to the middle ages and public executions in the town square?