Dr. Mark Fowler — who oversaw Christa Pike‘s botched execution and a previous failed attempt to put another inmate to death — is speaking out about both controversial procedures.
In a candid interview with Intelligencer … Fowler said of his work … “I’m not an evil, vicious person. I’m not unscrupulous. I’m not uncaring, and I’m not incompetent.”
Upon realizing that Christa was still alive during her execution attempt, Fowler admitted he was worried she was “going to be in a permanent vegetative state with a quarter-million dollars in medical expenses.”
We reported earlier … Fowler had overseen the execution of Tony Carruthers back in May, which resulted in Fowler’s team being unable to establish a backup IV line and central line.
Fowler — who admitted he’s not “ashamed” of his job — says he’s the one who called off Carruthers’ execution because he had inadequate anesthetic … but claims he’s gotten IV lines right “several times” before.
He said … “It’s like riding a bicycle, and, frankly, the motor skills and neurological skills required to ride a bicycle are far more complex than placing an IV line.”
Like Pike, Carruthers had complained of pain and moaned during the procedure — something Fowler dismissed as “a bit of theater.”
While agreeing that the death penalty overall is “probably” unfairly administered … Fowler said he hopes the state tries to execute Pike again for “a sense of justice” for her victim Colleen Slemmer‘s family.
Meanwhile Pike said she has experienced constant pain since waking up in a hospital wondering why she was still alive.
As you know … Pike complained of a pain in her arm before losing consciousness on her Sept. 30 execution date.
We reported earlier … Pike left the hospital on Oct. 10 and was transferred back to death row … and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has since halted executions for the rest of the year.
