Death row inmate Christa Pike on ventilator after botched lethal injection

Christa Pike remains unconscious on a ventilator more than 24 hours after a failed execution attempt in which staff used at least seven needles. Her lawyers have filed for evidence to be preserved.

Christa Pike unconscious after failed execution attempt in Tennessee

Christa Pike, 50, remains on a ventilator and unconscious more than 24 hours after prison staff failed to carry out her execution by lethal injection, The Sun reports.

Pike survived two full doses of pentobarbital and is currently unable to breathe independently. Hospital staff have been working to clear the lethal drug from her system.

Her legal team filed documents on Friday requesting a judge preserve all evidence connected to the botched procedure. The filing, reviewed by TMZ, stated that Pike was "intubated, on a ventilator, and remains unconscious."

Seven needles, burned arms

Her attorneys said prison staff struggled to locate a suitable vein, making multiple attempts to gain venous access before the procedure was abandoned. Pike's arms are reportedly burned, blistered and swollen as a result.

Attorney Randy Spivey said on Thursday: "I counted at least seven needles used in her left arm alone. One of which appeared to be bent when it was pulled from her left arm after an unsuccessful attempt."

Several witnesses to the execution reported hearing Pike snoring during the nearly two hours that elapsed before prison staff closed the curtain, switched off the microphone and removed the media from the room.

Pike described as cooperative throughout

Attorney Stephen Ferrell said Pike had actively tried to assist the medical team during the procedure.

"She over and over again said, 'Please, try up on my shoulder higher. Please, try here, please try here. I think it will be okay,'" Ferrell recounted. "She thanked them, at least when they thought they had established a line."

Ferrell added: "Ms. Pike was kind, she was cooperative, and she was at peace the whole time."

Attorneys Luke Ihnen and Stephen Ferrell issued a joint statement to TMZ: "We are working closely with those closest to Christa to respect her wishes, safeguard her privacy and protect her rights as a patient during this extraordinarily difficult time. We ask that the public and the media respect that privacy as well."

Background

Pike was convicted of murdering Colleen Slemmer, 19, in 1995. According to court records, Pike believed Slemmer had been attempting to steal her boyfriend. She was subsequently sentenced to death.

Source: The Sun