Christa Pike's lawyer shares horrifying new details of what happened during botched execution
Christa Pike’s lawyer has shared harrowing new details about what went on inside the death chamber during her botched execution.
Pike, 50, survived two doses of pentobarbital during a botched execution attempt on 30 September at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.
According to eyewitnesses from the media, Pike complained about pain in her arm as she was given a dose of the lethal drug before ‘snoring’ and ‘squeaking’.
Pike's legal team later confirmed that she had survived and had been rushed into hospital where she was given life-saving treatment, with the team admitting at the time that they didn’t know if she would ever recover.
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In a new interview for the Unrestorable podcast, Pike’s lawyer Randy Spivey has shared shocking new details of what went on during the execution attempt and how he was left in the dark about her condition.
He recalled: “After the second dose of the lethal chemicals and the five minute waiting period passed, it was clear that Ms Pike was still breathing,” he recalled.
“I demanded to use a phone to connect with Christa’s legal team to let them know what was happening, as best I could - again from a dark room.
“It took approximately seven minutes and passage through six locked doors to finally get me to a phone where I could alert Christa’s legal team to what was happening. That was at about 8.22 a full 40 minutes after the first dose of chemicals were given to Christa.”
Spivey went on to say that once he was brought back he told officials to stop and asked for medical assistance, but claims he wasn’t given a proper update on whether help was on the way.
“I was returned to an area near the media room, where I demanded the execution be stopped and that life-saving medical care be given to Christa,” he continued.
“I did not get any information or confirmation that an ambulance was on its way until 8.50. I had no idea when and if medical professionals began to assist Christa.”
Pike spent five days unconscious on a ventilator and another five days recovering before she was later sent back to the Debra K Johnson Rehabilitation Centre, the women’s prison where she was housed for 30 years.
Pike has spoken out about the ordeal
One month after the ordeal, Pike spoke out publicly about the execution attempt for the first time, saying that since it happened there ‘hasn't been a moment since’ that she was not in pain.
"One month ago on September 30, I walked into the execution chamber at Riverbend men’s prison prepared to die,” she said.
"I had told the people who loved me, supported me and stood by me through the years I was grateful for them. I had also told the people in the room and who were there to witness my execution that I was leaving them in loving kindness.
"Several days later I woke up alone in a hospital confused and in pain. There hasn't been a moment since that night when I haven't been in pain. My body hurts. My arms hurt. My hands hurt. My throat hurts. I still struggle to speak. And the pain isn't just physical. There is pain in my mind and in my soul."
"I had not contemplated life beyond that night, and I’m deeply hurt by the incompetence that has put so many people in this terrible position. I continue to think about my victim’s family and the terrible pain and loss they have endured."
Pike was sentenced to the death penalty for the 1995 killing of 19-year-old fellow Job Corps student Colleen Slemmer.
It is unclear if the state will attempt to execute her again, or if her sentence will be commuted to life in prison.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee WSMV: "As it relates to a particular individual like Christa Pike and her crime, she’s still incarcerated under the laws of the State of Tennessee.
"I suspect her sentence will be the same as before unless determined otherwise by the courts."
Claire Reid
