Krista Pike in Serious Condition After Surviving Two Lethal Injections in Tennessee; Death Penalty Executions Suspended
Krista Pike, a death row inmate in Tennessee, is currently hospitalized in “serious condition” and is receiving life-saving treatment. After two failed lethal injections failed to cause her death, the state’s governor has decided to suspend all death penalty executions for the remainder of the year. Pike’s attorney, Randy Spivey, told reporters on Thursday, “We don’t have extensive information about her health, but we know she is alive.” Her lawyers are now petitioning for a sentence reduction. Pike, 50, was sentenced to death in 1996 after being convicted of murdering 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer.
According to her lawyers, Pike received two lethal doses of pentobarbital on Wednesday, yet survived. She was subsequently transported by ambulance to a hospital. Pike had admitted to assaulting and killing the victim alongside her then-boyfriend, Tadaryl Ship, when she was 18 years old. Wednesday’s execution attempt marked the final judicial proceeding related to the death sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court had authorized the continuation of her execution via lethal injection.
Colleen Slemmer’s mother, May Martinez, who traveled to Tennessee hoping for the execution to proceed, described the failed attempt as a “mess.” On Thursday, Pike’s attorneys disclosed additional details about the incident during the execution attempt, painting a grim picture. Spivey recounted, “The execution team spent nearly an hour attempting to insert an IV line. I witnessed them trying to insert a needle at least seven times into her left arm. One needle was withdrawn after a failed attempt, leaving a puncture wound.”
Even after administering the second lethal drug, Pike was observed breathing, and she was then taken to a darkened room where no one else was present. Spivey added, “No one knew what happened behind that curtain. I also was unaware of when medical personnel began assistance.” He urged the governor to commute Pike’s sentence, though earlier requests had been denied. Another of Pike’s lawyers, Stephen Farrell, stated that they are exploring additional legal avenues. “We want to approach this matter seriously, hoping for Pike’s health to improve and decisions to be made according to her wishes,” he said.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has ordered an independent review of the execution failure. On Thursday, he said, “A full and comprehensive investigation will be conducted regarding the failure during Pike’s execution process, which will take some time.” He added, “There are many questions, and our citizens need answers to these questions. That is the primary objective of this investigation.” Governor Lee has not yet disclosed who will lead the independent review.
The Tennessee Department of Correction issued a statement defending the conduct of the execution process. The statement read, “The department strictly complied with the legally approved and established death penalty procedures as authorized by the Attorney General’s office.” It further added, “The protocol maintains the efficacy of the lethal injection chemicals and does not permit any alternative methods.” Court documents indicated that after the first unsuccessful attempt, two doses of pentobarbital were administered, yet Pike remained alive.