A Tennessee death row inmate, Christa Pike, remains unconscious on a ventilator after the state’s failed execution attempt. Her attorneys have accused prison officials of ignoring warnings about potential complications. Pike was set to be executed for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. This execution would have marked the first execution of a woman in Tennessee in over 200 years.
Pike’s legal team has filed an emergency motion in Davidson County Chancery Court. They seek an order for the Tennessee Department of Correction to preserve evidence related to the ‘botched execution.’ Records are deemed crucial to understanding what occurred, defending Pike’s legal rights, and maintaining accountability.
‘Christa remains critically ill and is receiving medical care for the devastating effects of Wednesday night’s events.’ – Attorneys Stephen Ferrell and Luke Ihnen
Pike’s attorneys state she is critically ill, unconscious, and receiving ventilator support. She is being treated for the effects of pentobarbital administered during the execution, suffering significant injuries to her arms.
An emergency motion depicts the execution team’s struggle to establish IV access, using at least seven needles before delivering two lethal doses of pentobarbital. Allegedly, Pike suggested insertion spots, and one needle bent at a 90-degree angle was noted in the motion. Pike reportedly expressed distress, indicating severe discomfort and questioning the process’s normalcy.
The motion describes Pike arriving at the hospital with ‘swollen, burned, and blistered’ arms. Medical experts compare pentobarbital to ‘bleach’ or ‘Drano,’ noting its caustic properties with potential for burning skin and tissue.
Months prior, Pike’s attorneys warned the state about Pike’s thrombocytosis, PTSD, and small veins. They cautioned possible difficulties in IV placement and the risk of serious illness or prolonged death from improper drug delivery. These concerns were allegedly dismissed.
‘Her concerns were called ‘speculation’; they were laughed off, scoffed at, and dismissed.’ – Motion
The attorneys argue that no one in the execution team noticed the IV lines had failed before administering an additional pentobarbital dose. Instead, they reportedly prepared another set of syringes and administered the lethal dose.
Preserving evidence from this execution attempt is crucial, according to Pike’s legal team, as the case progresses. They assert the defendants have a duty to preserve all relevant evidence due to the alleged violation of Pike’s constitutional rights.
‘The governor has appropriately called for an investigation. We need to know what happened.’ – Attorney General’s Office spokesperson