Christa Pike regained consciousness almost a week after her botched execution. On Friday, her lawyers filed a request to preserve evidence related to two failed attempts at capital punishment. They accused the Tennessee Department of Corrections of "cruel treatment", disregard of basic medical needs and gross violation of the rules of medical procedure and protocol for carrying out this type of executions. On Wednesday, they will demand that the court secure key physical evidence, documentation and electronic materials.
The documents presented show that the people responsible for carrying out the execution tried to insert themselves into a vein using "at least seven needles". One of them, after being removed, was bent at an angle of 90 degrees.
According to lawyers, after being taken to the hospital, Pike had "swollen, burned and blistered" arms, which were the result of being administered pentobarbital, a substance used during the execution. "It causes burns to the skin, tissues and veins," they wrote.
Pike, 50, was given two doses of a drug that would kill her. Despite this, she survived and regained consciousness. Her lawyers say she suffered "serious damage" to her hands and still requires intensive medical care.
“Her recovery is medically unprecedented.”
On Tuesday, lawyers said Pike regained consciousness and began to speak. In their opinion, her condition constitutes an exceptional medical case.
“Her recovery is medically unprecedented,” attorneys said in a statement Tuesday. “The prognosis remains unclear, but we expect at least a long recovery process.”
Defense lawyers also warned it could be a "long time" before the woman would be able to "participate in court proceedings."
It is not yet known whether the prosecutor's office will again seek the death penalty. Stephen Ferrell, one of Pike's attorneys, told CNN on Sunday that the state attorney general's office has not yet provided a position on the case.
Lawyers asked Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to commute the death sentence to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, emphasizing that "another execution will not bring justice."
The only thing that can be done now is to rule out the death penalty and consider what Christa Pike's future would look like," Ferrell added on "CBS Mornings."
Tennessee halts executions
After the botched execution, Gov. Bill Lee suspended the death penalty in Tennessee until the end of the year. On Thursday, he announced that the case would be investigated by an independent entity that would conduct a "thorough and comprehensive" analysis of the events.
On Saturday, Lee also announced that Corrections Commissioner Frank Strada will step down later this month. The decision was made in the face of growing criticism over the botched execution.
However, the governor did not rule out that Pike would be executed at a later date. He emphasized that his task was to implement the judgments issued by the courts.
The people of Tennessee decided that the death penalty was an appropriate punishment for the most cruel crimes committed in this state. They are the ones who make that decision and my job is to make sure the sentences are carried out," Lee said.
Ferrell criticized the governor's position. In his opinion, the current situation requires, first of all, clarification of the circumstances of the failed execution and consideration of whether continuing the death penalty against Pike is justified.
Torture during executions leaves questions that the state of Tennessee does not want to answer, he added.
Christy Pike has been on death row for over 30 years
Christa Pike was convicted of the first-degree murder of Colleen Slemmer. The crime took place in 1995. The woman had been on death row for over 30 years.
It is crucial for Pike's defense lawyers to determine what exactly happened during the execution, why the procedure did not lead to her death and whether applicable medical and prison standards were violated.
