Death row convict Christa Pike is conscious and communicating while receiving medical treatment at hospital, her legal team confirmed today.
Pike, 50, remarkably survived two lethal injections last week when she was scheduled to be executed in Tennessee. The Mirror reports that her solicitors have since revealed she is alert, describing her survival as "medically unprecedented".
Legal Team Confirms Pike Is Alert
"Against all odds, Christa Pike is conscious, speaking, and continues to receive critical medical care," they said. "Despite the severe damage she endured to her arms, she is still handcuffed and shackled to the bed. Her recovery is medically unprecedented. Her prognosis remains unclear but, at a minimum, we expect a long recovery."
Her legal team expressed gratitude towards the emergency responders and hospital staff "who treated Christa like a human and have provided exceptional care to her."
Survival After Two Doses of Pentobarbital
The announcement marked the first sign of improvement in Pike's condition since she was transported by ambulance from a Nashville prison last Wednesday. Pike endured two administrations of pentobarbital as Tennessee authorities attempted to carry out her execution.
The 50 year old had been poised to become the first woman put to death in Tennessee in over 200 years when officials attempted to execute her by lethal injection on 30th September. However, she survived two doses of the lethal drug pentobarbital following difficulties in establishing intravenous access.
Condition and Injuries
Up until now, Pike had remained unconscious and on a ventilator as medical staff worked to assess the full extent of her injuries.
A purportedly leaked photograph laid bare the severity of her wounds, with the image reportedly depicting significant damage to her arm from the elbow downwards. Her solicitor had previously stated that she arrived with "swollen, burned, and blistered" arms.
