JONAH GOLDBERG: Death penalty opponents share blame for botched executions

Last week Tennessee officials attempted to carry out the death sentence of Christa Pike, convicted of a 1996 murder, but the execution was described by media as "botched" after technicians could not secure adequate intravenous access for the lethal pentobarbital dose. Pike is now unconscious and on a respirator at a hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, while an investigation into the mishap proceeds.

The Review‑Journal piece points to the anti‑death‑penalty lobby as a contributing factor, noting that opponents have long lobbied to bar medical personnel from participating in executions while simultaneously arguing that qualified staff are necessary to avoid a "gruesome spectacle." Pike’s lawyer warned before the attempt that "the state does not have the qualified, trained personnel in place to carry out Christa’s execution in a way that will not lead to a gruesome spectacle."

The article also contrasts U.S. practices with those of Canada and the Netherlands, where medical professionals regularly administer lethal drugs for euthanasia, highlighting that American doctors are prohibited from involvement in executions for ethical reasons. Critics say the lobby’s efforts to restrict access to appropriate drugs and qualified staff have helped create the conditions that led to the recent failure.

Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal