You Vote: Following the botched execution Wednesday of Christa Pike, what do you think?

The attorneys claimed at least seven needles were used to administer the lethal injection into Pike’s left arm over the course of an hour and that she was “continuing to show signs of life” after at least two full doses of the lethal drug, pentobarbital.

Published: October 1, 2026 8:57pm

Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike's attorneys told reporters Thursday that their client is still alive and in critical condition after she survived two lethal injections on Wednesday night and that lifesaving medical care is being administered. 

Pike, who was convicted of killing former classmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995 when she was just 18-years-old, was initially scheduled to be executed Wednesday morning, but it was delayed after an appeals court stayed the execution. The Supreme Court later ruled the execution could move forward if it was carried out before midnight.

Pike's attorneys Randy Spivey and Stephen Ferrell said their client's prognosis and current health status are not clear, but that she is in critical condition and is receiving lifesaving medical care at a local hospital, according to NBC News. 

“I’m haunted by last night,” Spivey said. “Last night was not just inefficient; it was cruel and it was torturous."  

The attorneys claimed at least seven needles were used to administer the lethal injection into Pike’s left arm over the course of an hour and that she was “continuing to show signs of life” after at least two full doses of the lethal drug, pentobarbital.

You Vote: Following the botched execution Wednesday of Christa Pike, what do you think?

Choices

Just the News Spotlight

Support Just the News