Christa Pike returned to Nashville prison after surviving execution attempt

Condemned inmate Christa Pike has returned to a Nashville prison after surviving an execution attempt, her attorneys said Saturday. The transfer followed her discharge from an outside hospital where she received emergency care. The 50-year-old inmate is back at the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center. She lived at the women’s facility for 30 years.

The Tennessee Department of Correction has not said what went wrong during the procedure. Medical and lethal injection experts focused on a potential issue with the intravenous line. They questioned if the drug pooled in her tissue instead of entering her bloodstream.

“She is grateful to the first responders and her medical team for their care in these extraordinary circumstances. She is continuing to receive medical care at the prison, and we will continue to track her recovery,” the statement said.

Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital on Sept. 30. The state attempted the lethal injection for the 1995 beating and stabbing death of Colleen Slemmer. Pike was placed on a ventilator during her hospital stay. Her attorneys initially did not expect her to survive.

She eventually woke up. Pike began talking and walking with assistance. In a court filing, her legal team wrote that “apparently at no point did any member of the execution team realize that the IV lines were not correctly placed.” The Death Penalty Information Center stated Pike is the first person to survive after receiving lethal injection drugs.

The failed execution brought scrutiny to how Tennessee carries out death sentences. Gov. Bill Lee postponed the only other scheduled execution in the state this year. He ordered a formal review of the incident. The state prison chief resigned following the event.

Staff asked Pike for a final statement when the execution began in Nashville. She spoke of being at peace. Five minutes later, she raised her head and said her arm hurt. Pike then appeared to lose consciousness.

Witnesses heard her breathing heavily inside the execution chamber. Officials escorted media witnesses out nearly 90 minutes into the procedure. An ambulance then took Pike to the hospital.

State correctional departments manage housing and health services for inmates held on death row. Prison facilities coordinate with outside emergency personnel when specialized acute care is required.

Legal counsel continues to monitor Pike following her return to the Debra K. Johnson Rehabilitation Center in Nashville.