Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol has reached its fourth iteration in two decades, drawing intense scrutiny following a sequence of failed executions. Christa Pike’s botched execution in September marked the second time this year that the state’s lethal injection procedures faltered.
Tennessee Reduces Lethal Injection Protocol Length over Time
A review of state lethal injection procedures going back to 2007 by CBS News revealed that the guidelines governing capital punishment in Tennessee have grown progressively shorter and less detailed over time.
Prior to 2025, Tennessee outlined its lethal injection execution process over more than 100 pages. Those documents contained extensive instructions regarding the roles and responsibilities of various execution teams, the drugs used, and established practices surrounding IV lines and administering the lethal drugs. By contrast, the version released early last year spans just 44 pages. Thomas told CBS News that this contraction shields officials from accountability. She added that it is “not normal” that two people survived their trips to the execution chamber.
The 2025 updates altered specific provisions governing the intravenous team, which bears the responsibility of establishing properly functioning IV lines for administration of the lethal injection chemicals. Earlier guidelines required monthly training sessions where team members practiced establishing an IV line using a volunteer acting as a condemned inmate. That mandatory practice requirement was eliminated in the 2025 update.
Two Botched Executions in a Single Year
Tony Carruthers was first set to be executed in May.
Months later, Christa Pike survived her scheduled execution after similar difficulties.
She was given two doses of the lethal drug. When the second dose failed, the process was stopped and she received medical care. Pike was subsequently hospitalized for several days before returning to prison.
Systemic Concerns and Official Responses
Following Pike’s failed execution, Lee postponed the state’s next scheduled execution and called for a review of the protocol.
