Christa Pike conscious and speaking after surviving seven lethal injection jabs in Tennessee

Convicted murderer Christa Pike is awake and speaking nearly a week after a failed execution in Tennessee. Her recovery is described as "medically unprecedented" but her prognosis remains unclear.

Death row inmate regains consciousness after botched Tennessee execution

Christa Pike is conscious and speaking from a hospital bed, handcuffed and shackled, after surviving seven lethal injection jabs during a failed execution attempt at a Nashville prison last Wednesday, metro.co.uk reports.

"Against all odds, Christa Pike is conscious, speaking, and continues to receive critical medical care," her lawyer said in a statement — the first confirmation of any improvement in the 50-year-old's condition since she was taken away by ambulance.

Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital as Tennessee officials attempted to put her to death. Her attorneys said the severe damage inflicted on her arms during the procedure has not prompted authorities to remove her restraints.

"Despite the severe damage she endured to her arms, she is still handcuffed and shackled to the bed," her legal team said. "Her recovery is medically unprecedented. Her prognosis remains unclear but, at a minimum, we expect a long recovery."

Her lawyers expressed gratitude toward first responders and the hospital medical team, who they said "treated Christa like a human and have provided exceptional care to her."

The statement did not address what legal steps, if any, her attorneys intend to pursue following the failed execution. Pike was convicted of murder and had been on death row in Tennessee.

Source: The Sun