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Adam Tamburin

Tennessee's top prison official resigns after failed Christa Pike execution

Frank Strada. Photo: courtesy of the Tennessee Department of Correction

Tennessee's top prison official turned in his resignation days after the failed attempt to execute death row inmate Christa Pike, the state announced Saturday.

Gov. Bill Lee said Department of Correction commissioner Frank Strada would step down this month.

Strada, who had served as commissioner since 2023, said he would cooperate with the independent investigation of the failed execution attempt.
Pike, 50, survived two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital and was taken to a hospital for life-saving treatment.

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