Christa Pike awake after failed execution, lawyers say
Christa Pike, a death row inmate in Tennessee, has regained consciousness following a failed lethal injection execution attempt. Her legal team is now advocating for a commuted sentence, citing her poor health and the traumatic nature of the botched procedure.
Why it matters
The case has reignited national debate regarding the ethics, reliability, and legality of the death penalty and the use of lethal injection protocols in the United States.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christa Pike was “angry and confused” in the hours after regaining consciousness following Tennessee’s failed execution attempt, first asking, “Where am I?” her lawyer said Wednesday. Pike, believed to be the first person to survive after receiving lethal injection drugs during an execution, stunningly woke up as plans were being made to remove her from life support, just six days after she was strapped to a gurney in the death chamber, said attorney Randy Spivey. “But on Tuesday, to the shock of everyone ... Christa woke up and began talking,” Spivey said. Pike, who was sentenced to death for the 1995 beating and stabbing death of classmate Colleen Slemmer, is aware of what happened to her, at least up to a point, Spivey said. Many questions remain, though, about her prognosis for recovery and whether Tennessee will make another attempt to execute Pike, now age 50.
Also covering this story
17 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after Tennessee failed execution, her attorneys say
'We could all hear her breathing': Witnessing the failed execution of Christa Pike
US death row inmate Christa Pike conscious and speaking after failed execution, lawyers say
Christa Pike 'conscious and talking' after botched execution
Christa Pike is awake after surviving execution: What happens now?
Death row inmate Christa Pike wakes after botched execution in US
US death row inmate Christa Pike conscious after failed execution, lawyers say
Two doses, one failed execution: How did Christa Pike survive?
Christa Pike is awake and speaking after failed execution, lawyers say
Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after Tennessee failed execution, her attorneys say - AP News
Christa Pike Conscious And Speaking Days After Failed Execution In Tennessee
Christa Pike woke asking 'where am I?' after surviving execution, lawyer says
Christa Pike 'angry and confused' about Tennessee's failed execution effort, lawyers say
Why did Christa Pike’s attempted execution fail? What medical experts say
Pike 'angry and confused' after surviving execution
US death row inmate Christa Pike 'angry and confused' after failed execution, lawyer says
Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after failed execution, attorneys say - The Washington Post
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in