Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike is conscious and able to speak from her hospital bed following a botched execution attempt last week, according to statements released by her legal team on Tuesday.
Pike survived the state’s September 30 lethal injection attempt. She was administered two doses of pentobarbital, but media witnesses reported that the procedure was halted after officials determined she retained consciousness and maintained a heartbeat. She was subsequently transported by ambulance to a local hospital for critical care.
Her attorneys stated that while Pike continues to receive intensive medical treatment, her prognosis is unclear and they anticipate a prolonged recovery. The legal team also noted that despite sustaining severe damage to her arms, Pike remains handcuffed and shackled to her hospital bed.
Steve Ferrell, one of Pike’s attorneys, revealed on Monday that medical staff are working to clear the sedative from her system. Pike was convicted in 1995 for the murder of 19-year-old former classmate Colleen Slemmer; she was 18 at the time of the crime.
In response to the failed execution, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced that Frank Strada, the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Correction, will resign. Additionally, the governor confirmed that all remaining scheduled executions in the state for the remainder of the year have been canceled while an investigation into the incident is conducted.
This is a developing story.
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The governor cancelling all executions shows this was a catastrophic failure. How did they not test the IV before starting the drug?
Keeping a prisoner handcuffed in a hospital bed is inhumane. This needs urgent legal review regardless of the crime.