23.10.2026 15:20
In the US state of Tennessee, it was claimed that the vein of death row inmate Christa Pike, who survived despite being given 2 doses of lethal drugs on September 30, may have been ruptured during the execution. According to The Guardian’s report based on Pike’s lawyer, the execution team used 10 needles to establish venous access and discussed among themselves the possibility that the vein had been ruptured. Pike stayed in the hospital for 10 days; her long-term health condition is unknown.
A new statement has come from the lawyer of death row inmate Christa Pike following the failed execution in Tennessee. The lawyer claimed that the execution team suspected Pike’s vein may have been damaged during the procedure.
CLAIM THAT 10 NEEDLES WERE USED
In the news report by the British newspaper The Guardian, based on the statement of Pike’s lawyer, it was alleged that the team responsible for establishing Pike’s intravenous access used 10 needles. According to the report, about 20 minutes after the execution procedure began, the team discussed among themselves the “possibility of the inmate’s vein being torn.”
“EITHER BLOOD OR IT’S TORN, I NEED TO KNOW”
In the report, which alleged that the team’s effort to find a vein lasted from 18:35 to 19:24, it was claimed that one of the team members said, “Either blood or (the vein) is torn, I need to know.”
LONG-TERM HEALTH CONDITION UNCLEAR
The report noted that Pike, who was sent back to prison after spending 10 days in the hospital, could speak and walk. However, it was pointed out that it is unknown how the inmate’s long-term health condition will progress.
2 DOSES OF DRUG ADMINISTERED, HER HEART DID NOT STOP
Pike had been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering her classmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995, when she was 18. On September 30, Pike was given 2 doses of drugs for the execution, but the inmate’s heart did not stop. Pike was then transferred to a health facility outside the prison.
EXECUTIONS HALTED
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee had ordered an investigation into the incident. During the investigation, executions planned for the rest of the year in the state were also halted.