Tennessee considers ending lethal injection as Christa Pike wakes from failed execution.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Tennessee lawmakers are calling for changes to the state’s execution procedures after a lethal injection attempt on death row inmate Christa Pike failed twice last week, leaving her conscious but in critical condition, according to her attorneys.

Gov. Bill Lee has paused all executions in the wake of the failed attempt, ordered a third-party review of execution procedures and seen the Tennessee Department of Correction commissioner resign.

“It’s upsetting. This is not the first time something of this nature has happened,” says Rep. Yusuf Hakeem.

About 3 percent of all executions fail in the U.S., according to the Death Penalty Information Center.

Witnesses say the lethal injection failed twice as the Department of Corrections tried to execute Pike, who is the only woman on Tennessee’s death row.

House Speaker Cameron Sєxton says the state will examine what went wrong.

“She should have been executed first of all, and so we’re going to look into the the process and procedures to see what happened,” Sєxton says.

The failed attempt has renewed debate over capital punishment methods and reform from both sides of the political aisle.

“I think you will hear the legislature talk about other options that should be available, whether it’s the electric chair, as Marsha Blackburn has proposed, or firing squads,” says Senator Bo Watson.

With the Department of Correction commissioner stepping down, Sєxton says the next appointee will need to work with the General ᴀssembly and the next governor.

“We will go through it and see what we need to happen. We’re going to look in all 50 states on what they do. There might be some things we do. We may not have lethal injection anymore in the state of Tennessee moving forward,” Sєxton says.

Rep. Hakeem says the state’s review must be comprehensive.

“Without a doubt, there has to be a thorough review, and you know, look at some case studies in other states. I’m sure we’re not the only state that’s had a problem, a situation of this nature, and how they work through it,” Rep. Hakeem says.

According to Pike’s attorneys, Christa Pike is now conscious, speaking, and continues to receive critical medical care.

Despite the severe damage she endured to her arms, Pike’s attorneys say she is still handcuffed and shackled to the bed.

Her prognosis remains unclear but, at a minimum, her attorneys expect a long recovery.