Christa Pike ‘very likely brain damaged’ after botched execution as doctor issues update

A health expert has shared what he thinks will happen to Christa Gail Pike after she survived two lethal injection attempts.

The death row inmate was granted a stay of execution an hour before she was initially due to be put to death at 10AM on September 30, but the decision was overturned later in the day by the Supreme Court, and she was strapped to a gurney that evening.

She was set to become the first woman in over 200 years to be executed in Tennessee, but two attempts to administer the lethal injection failed to end her life.

The 50-year-old was convicted as a teenager in 1996, after killing fellow Job Corps student Colleen Slemmer one year prior.

Pike's attorneys revealed that she is being treated in a hospital, while a spokesperson for the Tennessee Department of Corrections confirmed she was ’transported to an off-site medical facility’ following the failed execution.

Now, a doctor has explained what the long-term health implications of the incident could be for Pike.

Christa Pike survived two lethal injection attempts. Credit: Tennessee Department of Corrections

Doctor explains severity of Pike's health

Pike, who remains in hospital following the incident, notably said during the process that her 'arm feels like it is about to burst open'.

Witnesses claim that the inmate was left kicking her feet while being strapped to the gurney and being administered two doses of the lethal injection.

Speaking to the BBC, Dr Joel Zivot, a professor at the Emory University School of Medicine, revealed that doctors likely didn't act quickly enough to prevent long-lasting health issues for Pike, following the failed execution attempt.

“It’s very possible that as a consequence of the delay of the beginning of resuscitation she will have a brain injury,” he explained.

Not only is Dr Zivot a health expert, but he has also been working closely with Pike's legal team, prior to her planned execution date.

The inmate remained conscious after the second syringe of pentobarbital was administered, though her lawyer said she was 'audibly snoring'.

Witness reveals Pike's chilling question

Gessner went on to describe the scene in the chamber as Pike was administered the lethal injection drugs.

She said that at around 7:34PM, Pike admitted: “My arm feels like it is about to burst open.”

Then came the question: “Does this happen like that?”

A spokesperson for the Department of Corrections said that the state 'followed every step of the State’s lawful, established execution protocol approved by the Attorney General’s Office’ and continued that 'the lethal injection chemical in the protocol has consistently been effective.’

In a counter-statement, Pike’s lawyers said: “Tonight the State of Tennessee once again failed to carry out a lawful execution.”

Christa Pike remains in hospital after the failed execution. Credit: Tennessee Department of Corrections

Christa Pike's last words

Before being given two doses of the lethal injection, it was reported that Pike delivered her intended final words before singing a song.

According to FOX 5, the curtains to the execution chamber opened at 7.27PM, where Pike was strapped to a gurney with an IV line in her arm, through which she was given the lethal injection containing pentobarbital.

Pike then delivered her last words, saying: "I just want to say that I'm going to leave this world the way I spent most of my life, and that is with love.

"I'm at peace, and I'm ready to go," before singing 'I Love You So Much' with a male spiritual advisor, who patted her head.

Featured image credit: Death Penalty Information Center