Judge Orders Evidence Preserved After Pike’s Failed Execution

Christa Pike, 50, received two doses of pentobarbital in a Sept. 30 execution attempt at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution and woke Oct. 6 asking "Where am I?" and "Who are you?" Attorney Randy Spivey said that on Monday night it was their understanding she was brain dead and life support would be removed the next day, but on Tuesday, to the shock of everyone, she woke up and began talking. Attorneys say she has pneumonia, a blood clot in one arm, cannot swallow, and both arms and hands severely swollen, burned and blistered, like a surgical glove blown up. She remains handcuffed by her feet and right arm despite staff requests to remove the shackles. During the attempt she raised her head to say her arm was burning as the team repeatedly tried IV access with multiple needles. Judge I'Ashea Myles on Wednesday granted an emergency motion in Davidson County Chancery Court, ordering that anything in the actual room, including trash, be preserved and warning officials to take special care not to lose, misplace, or accidentally delete any information pertinent to this investigation. Assistant Attorney General John W. Ayers argued a court order was unnecessary because an existing federal preservation order already bound the Department of Correction; the judge granted the motion anyway. Spivey said Christa has a long road to recovery. Her lawyers are considering legal challenges. The state has not said whether it will seek another execution.