Failed 'torturous' execution attempt on Christa Pike reignites death penalty debate

The botched execution in Tennessee of Christa Pike, who survived despite being subject to two doses of lethal injection on Wednesday, has reignited furious debate about the death penalty in the U.S.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/4457x2972+0+0/resize/4457x2972!/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F2a%2Ff8%2Fefb76ddc42888246eec813a16700%2Fap26274095205700.jpg' alt='Media witnesses recount the moments before the execution of Christa Pike was halted Wednesday in Nashville, Tenn.'/><p>The botched execution in Tennessee of Christa Pike, who survived despite being subject to two doses of lethal injection on Wednesday, has reignited furious debate about the death penalty in the U.S.</p><p>(Image credit: George Walker IV)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5988832' />