A Tennessee woman’s case has taken an unexpected turn after an execution attempt left her fighting for her life. An attorney for Christa Pike says she now faces a long road ahead as doctors continue treating her for several serious medical complications. And, all of this comes after the state’s failed attempt to carry out her execution.
RELATED: Yikes! Tennessee’s Prison Chief Is Resigning After Failed Execution Of Christa Pike (UPDATE)
Her Lawyer Reveals Her Mood Upon Waking Up
According to Spivey, he understood as of Monday night that Pike was brain-dead and that life support was expected to be removed on Tuesday. Instead, Pike unexpectedly woke up and began talking. Moreover, it left her attorney and medical team without an explanation for what changed overnight.
Spivey said Pike’s first words were reportedly, “Where am I and who are you?” He described her as angry and confused, saying she has been asking what happened to her, checking on members of her team and asking about the victim’s family. Pike’s attorney also said she understands that the state attempted to execute her.
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Pike Faces Pneumonia And Loss Of Arm Function
Pike, 50, reportedly remained unconscious and on life support for six days after Tennessee attempted to execute her last week for the 1995 murder of a classmate. Her attorney, Randy Spivey, said at a Wednesday news conference that Pike woke up and began speaking on Tuesday, shocking her legal team and medical staff.
Spivey said Pike is dealing with a blood clot in one arm and pneumonia. She is also experiencing an inability to swallow and a lack of function in her arms. He also said neither Pike nor her team has yet begun processing what the experience could mean for her mental health. Doctors told NBC News that it appeared most of the pentobarbital used during the lethal injection entered Pike’s arm instead of her bloodstream. The medication reportedly had enough effect to put her to sleep but did not stop her heart or slow her breathing as intended.
Here’s How Pike’s Attorney Says The State Was Warned
Spivey said Pike cooperated with the execution team and even helped them locate a vein for her IV. He alleged that staff spent about an hour attempting to establish the IV before administering the pentobarbital. Pike’s legal team had previously challenged execution by lethal injection, citing venous issues they argued could interfere with the procedure. Spivey now maintains that the complications his team warned about were ultimately realized during the execution attempt.
