One third of Americans support second execution attempt after failed lethal injection

One third of Americans believe the government should make a second attempt to execute a convicted criminal if a first attempt fails, according to a Reuters and Ipsos poll. The four day nationwide survey examined public opinion following a botched execution attempt in Tennessee. [1][2][3][4]

The poll found that 39 percent of respondents felt the government should instead permit convicts to serve life sentences in prison if an execution fails. A further 26 percent of respondents stated that they were not sure which option was the better approach. Overall, the poll revealed minority public support for trying a second execution attempt. [1]

The poll follows recent events involving death row inmate Christa Pike, who survived a failed execution attempt in Tennessee, as FTMQ News reported earlier. Pike survived two lethal injection doses of pentobarbital on September 30 before being discharged from the hospital and returned to prison, where she has been housed for over 30 years following a 1996 conviction. [9][10]