Otis Singleton
The electric chair is a method of execution still authorized by some U.S. states, including Florida and Tennessee. In the event that the electric chair fails, the condemned person does not go free. Urban myths and misinterpretations of the double jeopardy clause have led some to believe that this would be the case, but this is not true. Instead, authorities will simply try again. In the case of Alpha Otis O'Daniel Stephens, the first jolt of electricity failed to kill him, and he sat in the chair for six minutes before doctors decided another jolt was needed. In other instances, equipment failure and human error have led to botched executions, with flames erupting from the heads of those being electrocuted.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What happens if the electric chair fails | The authorities have a second attempt at execution |
| Botched electric chair execution examples | Flames erupted from Tafero's head and three jolts of power were required to stop his breathing; Medina's headpiece caught fire and the chamber filled with smoke |
| Urban myth | If an execution fails, the condemned is allowed to go free due to double jeopardy |
| Reality | Double jeopardy only applies to prosecution, not the carrying out of a sentence once someone has been found guilty |
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What You'll Learn
The electric chair is unsuccessful, what next?
If the electric chair is unsuccessful in executing a prisoner, the authorities simply try again. Urban myths and interpretations of the double jeopardy clause suggest that a failed execution would result in the prisoner being released, but this is not the case. The language of a death sentence is explicit in that the condemned will suffer the given method of execution "until dead".
In the case of Alpha Otis O'Daniel Stephens, the first jolt of electricity failed to kill him, and he sat in the chair for six minutes while his body cooled and doctors examined him, before deciding to administer another jolt.
In the event that three attempts at lethal injection fail, a new legal procedure is created for that instance and for future instances. In the case of lethal injection, it is easier to set up a firing squad than to build an electric chair. However, some states now allow the use of alternative methods if lethal injection cannot be performed due to resistance from drug manufacturers. For example, Florida and Tennessee explicitly authorize lethal injection and electrocution, but state that if those methods are found to be unconstitutional, prisoners may be executed by any constitutional method of execution.
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The prisoner is still alive
If the electric chair fails and the prisoner is still alive, the execution may be called off, and the prisoner may be returned to their cell. In some cases, the execution may be attempted again at a later date.
For example, in the case of Willie Francis, the electric chair failed to kill him in 1946, and he reportedly screamed, "Take it off! Let me breathe!" It was discovered that the portable electric chair had been improperly set up by an intoxicated prison guard and inmate. A case was brought before the U.S. Supreme Court, and it was decided that re-execution did not violate the double jeopardy clause of the 5th Amendment. Willie Francis was returned to the electric chair and executed in 1947.
In another instance, on November 17, 2022, the execution of Kenneth Smith in Alabama was called off after the IV team failed to find a vein. Smith was returned to his cell alive but traumatized, having spent four hours strapped to the gurney.
In some cases, the execution may be attempted again immediately. For example, in 1890, during the execution of Kemmler, the first 17-second passage of 1,000 volts AC caused unconsciousness but failed to stop his breathing. After the attending physicians examined Kemmler and confirmed he was still alive, a second attempt was made, and he received a 2,000-volt AC shock.
In other cases, the execution may be delayed or postponed. For instance, in 1990, during the execution of Jesse Tafero in Florida, his face and head caught fire after the first administration of electricity. The execution was botched due to human error and the inappropriate substitution of a synthetic sponge for a natural one.
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Flames shoot out of the prisoner's head
In the case of an electric chair failing to kill the prisoner, authorities simply attempt the execution again. Urban myths suggest that the prisoner would be allowed to go free, but this is not the case.
In the instance of Jesse Joseph Tafero, the electric chair malfunctioned, causing six-inch flames to erupt from his head. Three jolts of power were required to stop his breathing. State officials blamed the incident on "inadvertent human error", specifically the inappropriate substitution of a synthetic sponge for a natural one.
In another case, Pedro Medina's execution was also botched when a crown of foot-high flames shot from the headpiece. Prison officials blamed the fire on a corroded copper screen, but experts later concluded that the fire was caused by the improper application of a sponge to Medina's head.
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Human error or equipment failure
Human error and equipment failure are common reasons for botched executions. In the case of the electric chair, human error can lead to the improper administration of electricity, resulting in the inmate suffering immensely before death. For example, in the case of Jesse Joseph Tafero, prison officials replaced the natural sponge used in previous executions with a synthetic sponge, which caught fire during the execution, causing six-inch flames to erupt from Tafero's head. Similarly, in 1989, Horace Franklin Dunkins, Jr. survived the first jolt of electricity due to the cables being connected improperly, which prevented the sufficient current from being dispensed.
Equipment failure can also lead to botched executions, as seen in the case of Charles Walker, where a kink in the plastic tubing caused him to suffer excruciating pain during his lethal injection execution. In the case of Doyle Lee Hamm, issues with his veins due to pre-existing medical conditions caused the execution team to poke and prod him for almost three hours before the attempts were stopped.
The electric chair itself can also malfunction, as seen in the case of James Larry Upton, where the cap for the head electrode did not fit, and an improvised cap made from a parka caught fire during the execution. In some instances, the electric chair may not deliver a lethal dose of electricity, as in the case of Willie Francis, where the current was not strong enough to kill or knock him unconscious.
The impact of electricity on the human body is highly variable, and the electric chair does not always result in immediate death. The voltage and amperage of the electric current can affect the outcome, with higher voltages causing more severe damage but not always resulting in instant death. The electric chair was originally thought to cause death through cerebral damage, but it was later determined that death primarily results from ventricular fibrillation and cardiac arrest.
Human error and equipment failure in the context of the electric chair can have devastating consequences, leading to prolonged suffering, severe injuries, and even death in some cases. These incidents highlight the importance of adhering to established protocols and ensuring the proper functioning of equipment to minimize the risk of botched executions.
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The prisoner is freed
In the event of the electric chair failing to execute a prisoner, the prisoner is not set free. Urban myths and misinterpretations of the double jeopardy clause have led to the belief that a failed execution warrants the freedom of the condemned. However, these myths are unfounded, and double jeopardy only applies to prosecution, not the enforcement of a sentence once an individual has been found guilty.
The language of a death sentence explicitly states that the condemned will suffer the given method of execution "until dead." This means that if the electric chair fails, authorities will simply try again. This has been observed in historical instances, such as the case of Alpha Otis O'Daniel Stephens, who was executed in 1984 after surviving the initial attempt.
In the case of lethal injection, which is the most widely used method of execution, a failed attempt may result in the exploration of alternative methods such as firing squads, electrocution, lethal gas, or hanging. This is particularly relevant in states like Florida and Tennessee, which explicitly authorize lethal injection and electrocution but allow for alternative methods if those are deemed unconstitutional.
While there have been instances of botched executions due to equipment failure and human error, the authorities typically make subsequent attempts to carry out the execution. The prisoner is not freed, and the sentence is carried out using the same or alternative methods until death occurs.
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Frequently asked questions
If the electric chair fails, the condemned does not get to go free. The authorities simply try again.
If the electric chair fails multiple times, the executioners may opt for an alternative method of execution, such as lethal injection, lethal gas, or a firing squad.
Electric chairs have failed due to corroded copper screens in the headpiece, improper application of the sponge, and human error.
