A timeline of how Christa Pike’s failed lethal injection attempt unfolded, and where we are now

Today, it has been confirmed that a death row inmate survived her lethal injection. Christa Pike was set to be the first woman in Tennessee to be executed in over 200 years.

The now 50-year-old was sentenced to death on March 30th 1996, after torturing and killing her classmate in a jealous rage because she thought she was attempting to “steal” her boyfriend at the time, Tadaryl Shipp. 

Pike was 18 at the time, and alongside a then 17-year-old Shipp lured 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer into the woods. They beat her for 30 minutes, carved a pentagram into her chest and forehead and killed her by hitting her head with a large piece of asphalt. They both confessed to the killing, and were convicted of first-degree murder.

Pike was then sentenced to death. Here is a timeline of how the failed execution attempt of Christa Pike unfolded. 

via Tennessee Department of Correction

Christa Pike was scheduled to be put to death at 10am yesterday

Christa Pike had been scheduled to be put to death at 10am local time, on Wednesday. Witnesses gathered at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.

A last minute delay occurred

The first bump with the execution was a last minute delay, as the court said it needed to consider whether Pike’s allegations of childhood sexual abuse were fully considered during her sentencing.

The lethal injection attempt took place at around 8pm local time (around 1am UK time this morning). Pike was injected with two syringes of pentobarbital. The second dose was administered at 8:26pm. 

“They went through two rounds and she was still breathing at the end, it was very ragged. She lifted her head up and was looking around at one point. She said there was a spot that was burning and hurting and asked if that was normal,” reporter Catherine Sweeney who witnessed the injection said. “None of that was normal.”

via Tennessee Department of Correction

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‘My arm is about to bust’: What death row inmate Christa Pike said during failed lethal injection

‘My arm feels like it’s about to bust’ 

A witness to the execution said Pike was heard saying: “My arm feels like it’s about to bust. One spot is really throbbing.”

According to reports she then said she was going to “leave this world the same way I spent most of my life and that is in love,” and then said she “had love for the people who were out here hating on her.” 

Her final words before seemingly falling asleep were: “I’m at peace. I’m ready to be free.” She finally spoke of celebrating her freedom, and then closed with: “This is a happy day.” She was heard breathing the entire time. 

According to reports, her legal team filed an emergency motion to stop the convicted killer’s execution while it was happening, as it had been noted “Ms Pike has lost consciousness and still has a heartbeat and is audibly snoring.”

Reporters were asked to leave at 9pm

Reporters who were witnesses were asked to leave at around 9pm. At that point, Pike was still breathing. 

The Tennessee Department of Correction released a statement

Following what happened, the Tennessee Department of Correction released a statement defending its protocols. “The Tennessee Department of Correction followed every step of the state’s lawful, established execution protocol approved by the Attorney General’s Office,” it said.

As of right now

Christa Pike was rushed to hospital after she survived her execution attempt. She is now in hospital “being provided life-saving measures”. Her condition as of Thursday morning is not known. 

This is an ongoing story, that will be updated as more becomes clear. For more, like The Tab on Facebook.