Pike remains critically ill in a hospital and is being treated for the effects of the pentobarbital given during the execution attempt, including significant injuries to both arms. Christa Pike is unconscious, intubated and on a ventilator after Tennessee’s failed attempt to execute her on Wednesday, her attorneys said Friday.
Pike, 50, was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. She was scheduled to become the first woman executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years.
They said the evidence is needed to understand the failed execution and protect Pike’s legal rights. “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.” said Luke Ihnen, attorney for Christa with Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee. Her attorneys have now filed an emergency motion in Davidson County Chancery Court asking the Tennessee Department of Correction to preserve evidence from what happened inside the execution chamber. “We ask that the public and the media respect that privacy as well. They are asking the Tennessee Department of Correction to protect and preserve evidence connected to Wednesday night’s execution attempt.
Pike’s attorneys filed the emergency motion in Davidson County Chancery Court on Friday.
