Lawyers say Christa Pike was on a ventilator after failed execution

Randy Spivey said at a virtual news conference Thursday afternoon that he had been told she was in critical condition and receiving life-saving care. He declined to provide further details.

Christa Pike, 50, was taken from a prison execution chamber to a hospital Wednesday night, still alive after two doses of pentobarbital intended to carry out her execution.

Spivey urged Governor Bill Lee to scrap Pike's death sentence. Lee had denied a request for clemency earlier in the week.

The Tennessee Department of Correction said it had followed every step of the state's lawful, established execution protocol. It also said Pike was subsequently taken to an off-site medical facility.

Governor Lee called for a comprehensive review of the failed execution by a third party.

UN rights chief Volker Turk urged Tennessee not to attempt to execute Pike again.

The head of Tennessee's prisons is resigning after the failed execution of death row inmate Christa Pike on Wednesday. The departure follows the state's unsuccessful attempt to carry out her death sentence.

Governor Bill Lee announced the leadership change on Saturday in a joint statement with Tennessee Department of Correction Commissioner Frank Strada.

Strada said stepping down was in the state's best interests. He also described the ongoing investigation into the incident as appropriate and necessary.

Lee has ordered an independent review of the attempted execution and halted all executions in Tennessee for the year.

Authorities have not explained what went wrong or said whether they will attempt to execute Pike again. Her lawyers filed an emergency motion Friday seeking preservation of all evidence related to the failed execution.

The Department of Correction has defended the method it used, saying its protocol did not permit additional procedures beyond those carried out.

Christa Pike's attorneys say she is conscious and speaking after the attempted lethal injection, while continuing to receive critical medical care. They said her prognosis remains unclear and she faces at least a lengthy recovery. They also said her arms were burned and blistered and she is handcuffed to her hospital bed.

Her attorneys are scheduled to appear at an October 7, 2026, morning status conference in Nashville before Chancery Court Judge I'Ashea Myles. They are seeking more information from the Tennessee Department of Correction.

The lawyers want a court order requiring the prison system to preserve information from the attempted execution. Their request includes drug lot numbers, needles, execution logs and other information.

Attorneys for the Tennessee attorney general's office argued in a Tuesday court filing that an order is unnecessary because the prison system must preserve the evidence for other cases. They said state officials had taken steps to obtain medical care for Pike and determine what happened.