Tennessee death row: Christa Pike unconscious, on ventilator after failed lethal injection

Christa Pike, sentenced to death in Tennessee, is currently in critical condition after a failed lethal injection attempt. The 50-year-old inmate, unconscious and intubated, was treated at a hospital near Nashville following the botched execution. Pike received two doses of pentobarbital, yet survived. Her lawyers argue the procedure was botched, requesting the preservation of evidence and a reduction of her death sentence.

Prison officials conducted at least seven attempts to insert an IV line before administering the drug, one of which was bent at a 90-degree angle. Pike reportedly communicated her location for proper IV insertion to the execution team. She cried and breathed heavily during the procedure, and blisters appeared on her arm. Dr. Joel Zivot, Pike's defense team's anaesthesiologist, stated the drug's failure to kill her could be due to improper placement or ruptured veins.

Pike, 19 at the time, was convicted of murdering 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995. She and two others beat and tortured Slemmer before killing her. Pike's execution was halted by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who ordered an independent review and suspended executions for the year. The state's Department of Correction defended the procedure, claiming their protocol did not allow for additional steps.

Authorities have yet to decide if they will attempt to execute Pike again or explain the execution's failure.