Retired US generals call on Pentagon to cancel 'barbaric' execution livestream

A group of 72 retired US military officers, including generals and admirals, have urged the government to cancel plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan. Hasan, an Army psychiatrist, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3rd for the 2009 Fort Hood shooting that killed 13 unarmed soldiers. The officers argue that livestreaming the execution would be "barbaric," violate constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment, and potentially turn Hasan into a "martyr." While President Trump initially approved the plan, some administration officials are reportedly reconsidering, and a final decision had not yet been made as of Tuesday. The retired officers stated they do not oppose the death penalty but believe a public broadcast would debase human dignity and taint the military and the nation.

Australian Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is urging the federal government to block the planned live stream of Nidal Hasan's execution by firing squad in the US on December 3rd. Hasan, convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting, is scheduled for execution, which the Pentagon intends to broadcast. Hanson-Young has written to the communications minister and eSafety commission, calling the broadcast "barbaric" and "abhorrent," and requesting "pre-emptive" action to prevent Australians from viewing it online. While the communications department has advised broadcasters to act responsibly, government sources indicate potential limitations in restricting an ally's legal proceedings. The eSafety commissioner has powers under the Online Safety Act to order platforms to block access to content deemed "refused classification" if it meets specific criteria for violence or abhorrent phenomena.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio has urged Catholic members of the US armed forces to refuse participation in the planned firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood attacker. Broglio stated that the military's intention to livestream the execution, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a deterrent, contradicts church teachings. Critics, including Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, have condemned the livestream plan as unethical and potentially harmful propaganda, fearing it could turn Hasan into a symbol for hostile groups. Pope Francis has also reiterated the Catholic Church's stance that the death penalty is inadmissible. President Trump, who approved Hasan's execution, is reportedly undecided on whether to proceed with the livestream.

Florida executed convicted murderer James Robertson, 63, on Tuesday via lethal injection, marking the state's first execution since a botched lethal injection in Tennessee involving Christa Pike in September. Robertson, who pleaded guilty to killing his cellmate in 2008, was pronounced dead at a Florida state prison. This execution was the 17th in Florida this year, with Governor Ron DeSantis pursuing an aggressive death penalty agenda. Another scheduled execution for William Lee Thompson was withdrawn due to concerns about his mental state. Robertson withdrew all his appeals prior to the execution.

Emergency call records reveal confusion among Tennessee prison staff and emergency responders after the failed execution of Christa Pike on September 30th. Pike, convicted of murder in 1995, was administered two doses of lethal injection but did not die, necessitating her transfer to a hospital. The article suggests a disconnect between prison staff may have delayed her treatment. Pike's legal team theorizes the pentobarbital may have spread under her skin instead of entering her bloodstream. She has since been discharged from the hospital and returned to prison, facing a "long road to recovery." Pike is believed to be the first person to survive a lethal injection execution attempt.

The US military plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009. This would be the Army's first firing squad execution since 1945. This decision comes amid rising concerns over botched lethal injections, such as the recent failed execution of Christa Pike. In response to these issues and renewed federal support for capital punishment, the US is exploring both new and older execution methods, including firing squads, the electric chair, and gas chambers. Lethal injection, while the most common method since 1982, has a history of complications and perceived inhumanity, leading officials to consider alternatives.

US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended the decision to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan, the former Army major convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting. Mullin downplayed concerns that the livestream could be used as propaganda by violent groups, stating he sees no elevated risk and that viewership is optional. The execution, scheduled for December 3, has drawn widespread criticism from lawmakers who warn it could encourage radicalization and provide martyrdom for Hasan. President Trump has indicated he may reconsider the livestreaming decision. Hasan was sentenced to death for killing 12 unarmed soldiers and a retired serviceman, and injuring 32 others.

US lawmakers from both Republican and Democratic parties have condemned a Pentagon plan to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced the decision to make Hasan's firing squad execution public, which is scheduled for December 3. Lawmakers, including Senators Thom Tillis and Jack Reed, and Representatives Austin Scott and Rob Bresnahan, have called the plan "barbaric" and "disgusting," comparing it to practices of oppressive regimes. They argue that public executions are not in line with American values and that the focus should be on justice for the victims. While President Trump authorized the firing squad execution, the decision to livestream it has faced significant opposition, though some lawmakers, like Congressman Andy Ogles, support the idea.

The Pentagon has stated its intention to livestream the execution of the Fort Hood attacker, according to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. However, military law requires presidential approval and appellate review before an execution can proceed. The attacker's appellate process is ongoing, and he is expected to seek further review in federal court, which would likely delay the execution. Legal experts note that livestreamed executions have never occurred in the US and question the likelihood of this particular execution happening as described. While some states allow public viewing of executions, a livestream would represent an unprecedented level of transparency regarding the process.

Nidal Hasan, the former army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3rd at Fort Hood, Texas. This will be the first U.S. military execution in over 60 years. Officials clarified that the execution will be livestreamed, making it a public event. Hasan was sentenced to death in 2013 and his appeals have been exhausted, with President Trump approving the execution based on a recommendation. The article notes that investigators found Hasan had exchanged emails with a radical cleric prior to the attack, and at his court-martial, Hasan stated he acted to prevent soldiers from deploying to Afghanistan.

Alonzo Lunsford, a survivor of the Fort Hood shooting, supports the execution of the gunman by firing squad, believing the method is fitting for the crime. He stated that while he has forgiven the gunman as a Christian, he wants the gunman to see him before the execution to acknowledge his failure. Lunsford expressed concern about the potential impact of livestreaming the execution on younger people but believes survivors and victims' families should have the option to watch. He recounted the gunman's actions on November 5th, describing how he got out of his chair, jumped on a counter, and began firing. Lunsford feels lethal injection would be too lenient a punishment.

Christa Pike, 50, has regained consciousness and is able to speak nearly a week after a lethal injection execution attempt in Tennessee on September 30. Her lawyers stated she is receiving medical care after being hospitalized following the botched procedure, which involved two doses of pentobarbital. Pike is believed to be the first person in the United States to survive such an injection. Her lawyers noted she suffered severe damage to her arms but is still handcuffed and shackled. Pike was convicted in 1996 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer when she was 18.

Christa Pike has been discharged from the hospital and returned to the Deborah K Johnson rehabilitation center, where she has been imprisoned for 30 years, following a botched lethal injection execution attempt on September 30th. Her lawyers stated she is continuing to receive medical care at the prison. Pike, 50, was hospitalized after surviving the execution and was briefly declared brain dead before showing signs of recovery. The reason for the failed execution remains unexplained, though experts speculate drug delivery issues or faulty medication. Pike was convicted in 1995 for the torture and murder of 18-year-old Colleen Slemmer. Her survival has drawn renewed criticism of the death penalty, leading Tennessee's governor to pause executions for the remainder of the year.

The US Pentagon plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, on December 3rd. This plan has drawn widespread international condemnation, with critics calling it "barbaric" and comparing the Trump administration to dictatorships. The UN's human rights office warned it would breach the prohibition of torture. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of Congress have also spoken out against the idea. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the livestream, stating the public needs to understand the consequences of such crimes. This execution, if carried out by firing squad, would be the first by the US military since 1945.

Pope Leo XIV has reiterated the Catholic Church's stance that the death penalty is "inadmissible," calling it an "attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person." He stated that the common good and justice can be achieved without capital punishment, citing effective detention systems that allow for redemption. This declaration comes as the United States plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan by firing squad on December 3rd. Hasan was convicted of killing 13 people and wounding 32 at Fort Hood in 2009. The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, previously described the livestreaming plan as "unacceptable." Pope Francis had previously amended Catholic teaching in 2018 to declare capital punishment inadmissible in all circumstances.

Christa Pike survived an attempted execution in Tennessee after executioners struggled to find a vein and administer lethal injection drugs, resulting in her arms swelling and blistering while she remained alive. This marks the first documented instance of a U.S. prisoner surviving two doses of lethal injection. The author, a death row reporter, argues that while Pike's survival was unprecedented, the execution's failures were not, citing issues like the prisoner's medical conditions, potential execution team incompetence, and secrecy surrounding drug sourcing. These factors, the article states, contribute to the risk of botched executions nationwide, as seen in previous incidents in Tennessee and other states. Following the incident, the head of the Tennessee Department of Correction resigned, and the governor ordered a review.

A federal appeals court has temporarily halted the scheduled execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee, just hours before she was due to receive a lethal injection. The 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay while it considers Pike's argument that evidence of childhood sexual abuse was not adequately considered during her sentencing. Pike, 50, was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer and would have been the first woman executed in Tennessee in over 200 years. Tennessee officials have asked the US Supreme Court to lift the stay. Pike's lawyers contend her history of abuse and mental health diagnoses warrant a sentence of life without parole, a clemency request rejected by Governor Bill Lee.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Leticia James to investigate a case at Cornell University, stating she has lost faith in the local district attorney's handling of it. This development has reignited national discussions about sexual assault on college campuses. Separately, top legal, medical, and faith leaders are advocating for a halt to the US death penalty following a botched execution attempt in Tennessee. Christa Pike survived a lethal injection of pentobarbital after the procedure was called off by Governor Bill Lee, marking a critical failure in the execution process.

The US Supreme Court has allowed the execution of Christa Pike to proceed in Tennessee, overturning a last-minute stay. Pike, 50, was convicted in 1996 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer and has been on death row since. A lower court, the Sixth Circuit Appeals court, had initially halted the execution scheduled for Wednesday. Tennessee's attorney general then asked the Supreme Court to overrule this stay. If executed, Pike will be the first woman put to death in Tennessee in over two centuries. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh granted the application to vacate the stay, with no explanation provided for the decision. The timing of the execution was not immediately clear.

Tennessee's planned execution of Christa Pike, which would have been the state's first female execution in 200 years, was halted by a federal appeals court on Wednesday morning, just an hour before it was scheduled. Pike, convicted of murder 30 years ago, was set to die by lethal injection. The court issued a temporary stay to allow for a proper analysis of the arguments presented. The state attorney general's office stated they will continue to advocate for the sentence and are asking the Supreme Court to lift the stay. Pike was convicted of the 1995 murder of her classmate, Colleen Slemmer, when Pike was 18.

Christa Pike, the only woman on Tennessee's Death Row, is scheduled for execution by lethal injection, marking the state's first female execution in over 200 years. Pike, convicted of torturing and killing a classmate at age 18, has requested execution by an all-female firing squad, citing fears that lethal injection could trigger flashbacks of childhood sexual abuse. Her legal team also argues she has medical conditions that could complicate IV insertion for lethal injection. While her lawyers sought clemency, citing her youth and trauma at the time of the crime, Governor Bill Lee denied the request. Women constitute a small fraction of executions in the United States, and Tennessee has not executed a woman since 1820.

Tennessee prison chief will resign following the failed execution of Christa Pike. Pike survived two lethal injections of pentobarbital on Wednesday at a Tennessee facility, after which she was transported to a Nashville hospital in critical condition. Her lawyers stated she cried out and breathed loudly during the procedure, and she was later found unconscious, intubated, and on a ventilator. The state's Department of Correction defended its protocol, while authorities have not yet indicated if another execution attempt will be made or offered an explanation for the failure. Pike's attorneys had previously raised concerns about her medical history and anatomy posing risks for a lethal injection.

Calls for a moratorium on the US death penalty have intensified after Christa Pike's execution attempt in Tennessee on Wednesday was halted, leaving her in critical condition. Pike was injected with two full syringes of pentobarbital, a dose considered fatal, yet she survived and was found to have a heartbeat and was breathing. Eyewitnesses described her struggling for an hour after the first injection. Lawyers and experts have condemned the event as "unimaginably barbaric" and "cruel and torturous," citing it as a violation of the constitutional prohibition against "cruel and unusual punishment." This incident follows a series of botched executions in other states, raising concerns about the reliability and humanity of capital punishment.

Christa Pike, the only woman on Tennessee's death row, was taken to hospital after two lethal injection doses failed to kill her during her scheduled execution on Wednesday. Pike, convicted of a 1995 murder when she was 18, was to be the first woman executed in Tennessee in over 200 years. Her execution proceeded after a federal appeals court stay was overturned by the Supreme Court just an hour before. Human rights experts have criticized the botched execution, calling it inhumane and a violation of human rights. Pike had previously requested execution by firing squad, citing fears of pain from lethal injection due to her small veins, but this was denied.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has suspended all state executions until at least the end of the year following a failed lethal injection attempt on Christa Pike. Pike's lawyers state she is alive and in critical condition, receiving life-saving medical care. Witnesses described the execution attempt as prolonged and distressing, with Pike still breathing and complaining of burning pain. Pike was convicted in 1995 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer. This incident has prompted calls from death penalty advocates for a nationwide halt to judicial killings, citing it as a violation of constitutional prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment.