‘I’m deeply hurt’: Christa Pike releases first statement since botched execution

US death row inmate Christa Pike has released her first public statement following a botched execution in September. Pike, 50, stated through her legal team that she entered the execution chamber prepared to die in peace but instead woke up alone and confused in a hospital bed. She reported experiencing constant physical and emotional pain, noting specific discomfort in her arms, hands, throat, and body, and added that she still struggles to speak.

According to BBC World, Pike survived two lethal injections of pentobarbital that left her in critical condition. She was discharged from the hospital at the end of last month and returned to prison. Her lawyers previously noted she suffered from pneumonia, significant swelling on her arms, and an inability to swallow following the attempt. Pike, who has spent 30 years in prison for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer, stated that while she is recovering and getting stronger, healing is not the same as being okay.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, BBC World — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.