riverbend maximum security institution — Lorien Times

Tennessee exposes lethal incompetence in Christa Pike execution

When Tennessee left Christa Pike alive after administering pentobarbital, the state demonstrated that a government unable to master the mechanics of lethal injection forfeits its authority to carry out the sentence.

By Adele Rutherford · October 1, 2026

The high court clears the way as Tennessee sets an execution

The United States Supreme Court denied Christa Pike a stay, leaving the state to carry out an execution that tests our legal rules on youth and trauma.

By Adele Rutherford · September 30, 2026

Bill Lee denies clemency for Christa Pike as process fails

As Governor Bill Lee denies clemency for Christa Pike, Tennessee exposes the fatal flaw of a capital process that ignores adolescent trauma.

By Adele Rutherford · September 29, 2026