Lawyers representing Christa Pike are set to appear for a hearing today following her botched execution. Pike's legal team filed for an emergency hearing last week after she survived two doses of pentobarbital. She remains in hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, following the failed execution on September 30.
Pike Awake and Speaking After Failed Lethal Injection
Her lawyers confirmed she was awake and speaking yesterday. A press conference is due to take place at 5pm UK time. The 50-year-old was sentenced to death in 1996 over the brutal murder of Colleen Slemmer. Pike was 18 when she was sentenced to be put to death and was, at one point, the youngest woman on death row.
Legal Team Seeks Preservation of Evidence
Pike's legal team is seeking a court order requiring the Tennessee Department of Correction to preserve all 'relevant physical, written and electronic evidence' related to the failed execution, court documents said.
Tennessee Governor Suspends Executions
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee suspended executions in the state following the failed execution of Christa Pike. He ordered an independent review and said it would "be thorough" and "take time." Lee said last week: "There are a lot of questions. The people of our state deserve to have those questions answered, and that's what this investigation is for."
The pause of executions overlaps with the scheduled December 3 execution of convicted murderer Gary Sutton. An emergency hearing is due to be held today at Davidson County Court following the botched execution. Pike remains in hospital and is receiving critical medical care after being given two doses of pentobarbital. She is reportedly conscious and is speaking, according to her legal team. Christa Pike was due to be executed on September 30.
