In brief
Christa Pike, a death‑row inmate convicted of the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer, endured two lethal injection attempts last week. The executions failed, leaving Pike alive and handcuffed in a hospital. Medical staff cleared her body of the pentobarbitol while she was unconscious, however lawyers now report she is conscious and speaking. Pike is under critical care as her case moves forward. Updates will continue to be posted as the situation develops.
Christa Pike remains conscious after failed execution
Christa Pike, 50, a death‑row inmate, is reported by her attorneys to be conscious and speaking following a botched lethal‑injection attempt.
Pike was sentenced to death after she was found guilty of murdering Colleen Slemmer in 1995. Last week, the Tennessee authorities tried to carry out her execution twice, but both attempts failed and she survived. She was subsequently transferred to a Nashville hospital where medical staff cleared her body of the pentobarbitol that had been injected during the failed execution.
Her lawyers said the inmate had been unconscious during the clearing process but now confirm that she is conscious and able to speak.
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