NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Christa Pike remains unconscious and on a ventilator at a hospital four days after Tennessee’s failed execution attempt on Wednesday night. The 50-year-old Pike survived after prison officials administered two doses of pentobarbital, and her lawyers say doctors are still treating her while her recovery remains uncertain.
The Brief
- Christa Pike remains unconscious and on a ventilator at a Tennessee hospital four days after her failed execution.
- Tennessee used two doses of pentobarbital during Wednesday night’s execution attempt, but Pike survived and remains under medical care.
- Pike’s lawyers say her recovery is still unclear, while Tennessee faces an independent investigation into its capital punishment system.
Christa Pike Failed Execution
What we know:
Christa Pike remains unconscious and on a ventilator at a Tennessee hospital four days after her failed execution attempt Wednesday night. She has remained hospitalized under guard while doctors work to remove the pentobarbital from her system.
More: Tennessee prison commissioner resignation after Christa Pike failed execution
Tennessee prison officials gave Pike two doses of the execution drug, but the medication did not kill her. Her lawyers said her arms were burned and blistered during the process. Her attorney, Stephen Ferrell, said he was not aware of Pike regaining consciousness after the execution attempt.
Pike’s medical decisions are being handled by a person she previously gave medical power of attorney to. Her defense team has not identified that person and said it could take several more days to know whether Pike will recover.
The execution had been delayed for more than eight hours while the U.S. Supreme Court reviewed a court ruling involving Pike’s case. The high court later overturned the ruling that had stopped the lethal injection.
Tennessee Execution Questions
The failed execution has raised questions about how Tennessee carries out its death penalty procedures. Pike’s lawyers asked a court to require prison officials to preserve written records, communications, images and video connected to Wednesday night’s execution attempt.
Her attorney, Stephen Ferrell, also called for more transparency from the state. He said Tennessee should provide the public with more information about its execution process, including details that are kept private.
The state’s execution system is already facing an independent review. Gov. Bill Lee ordered the investigation after Tennessee had another failed execution earlier this year involving Tony Carruthers. The Department of Correction commissioner, Frank Strada, also announced his resignation Saturday.
