Christa Pike Recovery Called Unprecedented

Christa Pike regained consciousness and began speaking Tuesday, nearly a week after Tennessee tried to execute her with two doses of pentobarbital. A judge ordered the state to preserve drugs, needles, IV equipment, recordings, logs and communications from the attempt, and to answer hospital-visit requests from Pike’s lawyers within two hours. During the execution, staff struggled to establish IV access and used more than seven needles. Pike’s lawyers allege the lines were misplaced or her veins failed, while the state has not given a definitive explanation. Pike was sentenced to death for killing classmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995, when Pike was 18. Whether Tennessee can try again remains unresolved.