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Christa Pike lawyers make demands after botched execution
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Christa Pike’s lawyers have been a huge request of a judge at the first hearing since her botched execution.
Arguing at the court in Nashville, Pike’s lawyers as well as representatives from the state made their first cases since the incident.
Christa Pike was due to die on September 30
Pike, now 50, was convicted of the brutal murder of Colleen Slemmer back in 1995 and was sentenced to death.
That sentence was set to be carried out last week, and - despite a late plea for clemency - Governor Bill Lee ruled that the execution could go ahead.
However, despite Pike being injected with two doses of controversial drug pentobarbital, she did not die and instead was sent to hospital where she received emergency medical care.
Since then, the debate has raged about what should happen to her.
Some have argued that she should be executed again, while her representatives have argued that her sentence should be commuted to life without parole.
Others have questioned what fit state she might be in to serve her time, or receive her death sentence once again.
The mother of her victim has also spoken out, although she isn’t convinced that she will see what she believes to be justive any time soon.
With the case completely up in the air, Pike’s lawyers just made a huge demand of the judge.
Christa Pike’s lawyers demanded access and unshackling
At the moment, Pike is under lock and key in hospital, and - although she is able to talk and has described some of her memories of the incident - she is not in a good condition.
As it stands, she remains shackled to the bed that she is in, and her attorneys have asked that she be uncuffed.
They have also asked that evidence from the botched execution be preserved, as well as to inspect the residue from equipment used during the process.
They argue that the medical staff at the hospital have asked for the handcuffs to be removed,
However, this is particularly complicated given Pike’s history.
Let’s not forget, she is a convicted murderer, and also once attempted to escape from prison.
Regardless of her current condition, it would be a complicated ask to uncuff her and leave her in a hospital bed.
So, it remains to be seen what will happen to her.
Pike’s lawyers are set to make a statement
After the hearing, Pike’s lawyers are expected to make a statement during which they may expand on her execution attempt - which they described as ‘chemical torture’ and their client’s current condition.
It remains to be seen what the judge will decide, and the world will have to continue to wait to see what will eventually become of her.
Whether she is allowed to serve her days in prison, or whether the state of Tennessee carries out the execution for a second time, making her the first woman executed in the state in 200 years - we’ll soon have an answer.
Until then, the wait for her victim’s family continues.