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Christa Pike in critical condition after failed Tennessee execution
Overview
US convicted murderer Christa Pike is in a critical condition in hospital after Tennessee authorities failed to execute her by lethal injection. Pike, who was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer, survived two injections of pentobarbital after they failed to stop her heartbeat. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has ordered a third-party review and halted executions in the state for the rest of the year, while authorities have not yet clarified why the dosage was non-fatal or whether they will attempt another execution.
Key points
- Christa Pike is in critical condition in hospital after surviving two lethal injections in Tennessee.
- Her legal team stated that the pentobarbital injections failed to stop her heartbeat and she could still be heard snoring.
- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has halted executions in the state for the rest of the year and ordered a third-party review.
- State authorities have not explained why the dosage was non-fatal or whether a new execution attempt will be made.
- Pike was sentenced to death in 1996 for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer.