Christa Pike, who survived failed Tennessee execution, speaking in sentences, lawyer says
In short
Christa Pike, who survived an attempted execution in Tennessee on 30 September, has begun speaking in full sentences, her lawyer told TMZ, according to Russian outlets. Doctors have not yet determined how severe the effects on her health are, and the lawyer said it may take a month or more to understand her mental state.
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Christa Pike, who survived an attempted execution in the US, has begun speaking in sentences and remains under doctors' observation, according to Russian outlets citing TMZ and her lawyer. RIA Novosti quoted the portal as saying Pike is making significant progress in her recovery and can now express herself more clearly and in full sentences. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The lawyer told the portal that her physical condition is improving and that she can now walk more without help. Doctors have not yet determined how severe the health consequences are, including whether she has suffered irreversible psychological and cognitive damage. According to the lawyer, it may take a month or more to understand her mental state accurately. [ 1 , 3 ]
Tennessee authorities tried to carry out Pike's death sentence on 30 September with two lethal injections, and the procedure failed. Vedomosti says the 50-year-old woman was given two doses of pentobarbital but survived. She was taken to hospital and regained consciousness on 6 October. Earlier, RIA Novosti reported that her defence said she had been moved from hospital back to prison, where she continues to receive medical care. [ 1 , 3 ]
Vedomosti, citing Pike's lawyers, adds that burns and blisters remained on her arms. The lawyers also said that, despite serious injuries to her hands, she is still handcuffed to a bed. Vedomosti says she faces a long recovery. [ 3 ]
Pike was convicted of the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, described by Vedomosti as a classmate. She was due to be the first woman executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years. Vedomosti reports that a federal court suspended the sentence on 30 September, hours before the execution, but the US Supreme Court later allowed the procedure to go ahead. [ 1 , 3 ]
After the failed attempt, Vedomosti reports, the state suspended executions on 2 October until at least the end of the year. On 3 October Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said that Frank Strada, head of the state corrections department, would resign. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The documents say the long-term psychological and cognitive consequences for Pike are still unknown. They also report that Tennessee suspended executions until at least the end of the year after the failed attempt.
Key facts
- Christa Pike, who survived an attempted execution by two lethal injections in the US, has begun speaking in sentences and is under doctors' observation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Her lawyer said her physical condition is improving and she can walk more without help. [ 1 ]
- The attempt to execute Pike took place on 30 September and ended in failure; she regained consciousness on 6 October. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Pike was convicted of the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer and was due to be the first woman executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years. [ 1 , 3 ]
- On 2 October the state suspended executions until at least the end of the year. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Pike has begun speaking in sentences, according to her lawyer as relayed by RIA Novosti, TASS and Vedomosti. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Doctors have not yet determined how serious the psychological and cognitive effects are, and it may take a month or more to understand them. [ 1 , 3 ]
- The execution attempt on 30 September failed and Pike regained consciousness on 6 October. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- Whether Pike has suffered irreversible psychological and cognitive damage. RIA Novosti and Vedomosti say doctors have not yet determined this.
- Where Pike is being held and in what conditions. RIA Novosti says her defence reported she was moved from hospital back to prison and receives medical care there; Vedomosti says her lawyers reported she remains handcuffed to a bed despite serious injuries to her hands. Only these single outlets report each claim.
- Burns and blisters on Pike's arms. Vedomosti attributes this to Pike's lawyers; no other document mentions it.