Tennessee prison chief resigns after Christa Pike’s botched execution

The Tennessee prison chief who oversaw the botched execution of murderer Christa Pike has stepped down from the position, Governor Bill Lee announced.

Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada offered his resignation to Lee on Oct. 3 and will step down this month.

Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada has resigned after overseeing the Christa Pike’s botched execution on Sept. 30. Tennessee Department of Correction

Christa Pike was Tennessee’s first female death row inmate in over 200 years. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Strada, who oversaw Pike’s two bungled lethal injections, maintained that the department carried out its responsibilities “in accordance with established protocol,” according to a statement obtained by The Tennessean.

“Even so, stepping aside is in the best interest of Tennesseans as the independent review moves forward,” Stada said. “I believe this review is entirely appropriate and necessary, and I look forward to doing everything I can to help determine exactly what occurred.”

Here’s the latest on the botched execution of Tennessee murderer Christa Pike:

• Christa Pike spoke about botched executions weeks before surviving lethal injection
• Tenn. GOP rep rips bungled Christa Pike execution: ‘All we’ve done is pick the scab off the wound’
• Christa Pike’s botched execution witness shares moment he knew ‘something’s going wrong’
• Witness reveals eerie new details from Christa Pike’s botched execution — her haunting song

Pike, 50, survived two lethal doses of a pentobarbital on Wednesday night.

She is still alive, though is unconscious, intubated and breathing through a ventilator, according to her lawyers.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.