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Life & Family

Catholic Mobilizing Network condemns botched execution of Christa Pike

First source report

Catholic IntelligenceUpdated 1 min read

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director of Catholic Mobilizing Network, criticized the failed execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee, calling the incident horrifying and unprecedented. Pike, convicted of the 1995 torture and killing of Colleen Slemmer, was scheduled for lethal injection on Sept. 30. Officials reported that Pike survived the administration of two syringes of lethal pentobarbital and was moved to a medical facility for treatment.

In a statement released Oct. 1, Vaillancourt Murphy said the group was stunned and bewildered by the event. She noted that every execution is a failure because it violates human dignity and argued that the issue lies with capital punishment itself rather than specific protocols. The Catholic Mobilizing Network is praying for both Pike and the family of Slemmer.

The incident follows a failed execution in Tennessee involving Tony Carruthers earlier this year, where medical staff could not find a vein for a backup IV line. Governor Bill Lee suspended all executions in Tennessee for the rest of the year and ordered an investigation into the state's capital punishment procedures.

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Earlier version, Tuesday 6 October

Catholic Mobilizing Network condemns botched execution in Tennessee

Earlier version, Monday 5 October

Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy says every execution is a failure

Earlier version, Friday 2 October

Catholic Mobilizing Network condemns Tennessee botched execution

Earlier version, Thursday 1 October

Catholic Mobilizing Network condemns Tennessee's failed execution

How the coverage unfolded

  1. Oct 1, 9:26 AM Catholic News Agency ‘Wake up call’: Catholic anti-death penalty group condemns ‘horrifying’ botched Tennessee execution
  2. Oct 1, 9:26 AM Angelus News Catholic advocates call Tennessee's failed execution 'horrifying'
  3. Oct 2, 4:01 AM ACI Prensa Español Grupo católico condena “horrorosa” ejecución fallida de Christa Pike en EE.UU.
  4. Oct 2, 6:13 AM Catholic Star Herald ‘Wake up call’: Catholic anti-death penalty group condemns ‘horrifying’ botched Tennessee execution
  5. Oct 2, 11:05 AM The Catholic Sun Tennessee Catholic bishops join call for clemency for inmate who survived execution attempt
  6. Oct 2, 10:56 AM OSV News Tennessee Catholic bishops join call for clemency for inmate who survived execution attempt
  7. Oct 2, 11:35 AM America After botched execution in Tennessee, Catholics pray for the end of the death penalty
  8. Oct 3, 10:32 AM Aleteia Polski Wezwanie do zniesienia kary śmierci po „przerażającej” nieudanej egzekucji
  9. Oct 3, 11:27 PM Newsbook Malti Il-Kap tal-ħabsijiet f’Tennessee jirriżenja wara l-eżekuzzjoni falluta ta’ Christa Pike
  10. Oct 5, 1:11 AM Agenzia SIR Italiano Christa Pike case. Vaillancourt Murphy (Catholic Mobilizing Network): “Every execution is a failure”
  11. Oct 5, 1:02 AM Agenzia SIR Italiano Caso Pike. Vaillancourt Murphy (Catholic Mobilizing Network): “Ogni esecuzione è un fallimento”
  12. Oct 6, 12:20 AM DOMRADIO.DE Deutsch Ein Rücktritt, Appelle und eine neue Todesstrafen-Debatte / Kirchen melden sich nach gescheiterter Todesstrafe zu Wort
  13. Oct 6, 3:30 AM Katholiek Nieuwsblad Nederlands Geestelijke leiders vragen opschorting doodstraf na mislukte executie in VS
  14. Oct 6, 5:00 AM Catholic Review Tennessee Catholic bishops join call for clemency for inmate who survived execution attempt
  15. Oct 4, 3:12 PM The Catholic Spirit Tennessee Catholic bishops join call for clemency for inmate who survived execution attempt

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