{"id":2677309,"date":"2026-10-06T17:58:01","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T21:58:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/christa-pike-awake-and-speaking-week-after-botched-execution-attorneys-say\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T18:00:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T22:00:58","slug":"christa-pike-awake-and-speaking-week-after-botched-execution-attorneys-say","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/christa-pike-awake-and-speaking-week-after-botched-execution-attorneys-say\/","title":{"rendered":"Christa Pike awake and speaking week after botched execution, attorneys say"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fchrista-pike-awake-and-speaking-week-after-botched-execution-attorneys-say%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2677309&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A woman from Tennessee, Christa Pike, who survived a failed lethal injection attempt, is now conscious and speaking nearly a week later, after receiving medical treatment at a Nashville hospital. her attorneys report that despite severe injuries, she has shown unprecedented recovery and remains shackled to her hospital bed.Pike was scheduled for execution on September 30, but teh court delayed it to review her claims related to childhood sexual abuse. The execution proceeded after the Supreme Court&#8217;s approval, resulting in a botched attempt where Pike was still alive after two doses of pentobarbital, leading to her being transported to a hospital. Her legal team notes that medical staff provided extraordinary care, and she is expected to have a long recovery. Pike was convicted in 1996 of first-degree murder for killing her classmate at age 18 along with her then-17-year-old boyfriend, who received life imprisonment. The botched execution prompted the resignation of Corrections Commissioner Frank Strada, and Pike\u2019s attorneys intend to challenge the actions taken during the failed procedure. the case has garnered attention as she was to be the first woman executed in Tennessee in over 200 years.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-first wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tennessee\/\">Tennessee<\/a> woman who survived two doses of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/death-penalty\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1427\">lethal injection<\/a> is awake and speaking nearly a week after attempts to execute her failed, leaving her unconscious and intubated in a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/nashville\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"2148\">Nashville<\/a> hospital.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Attorneys for Christa Pike, 50, said the convicted murderer is conscious and speaking following days of receiving medical treatment to clear the lethal drug administered during her execution attempt.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<style>.explore-more-section { background: var(--wex-bg); border-top: 1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff; margin: 24px 0; margin-top: -20px; }<\/style>\n<style id=\"mos-47956d51-b3c1-4581-8d16-0ac2f1f044e7-style\">@scope (#mos-47956d51-b3c1-4581-8d16-0ac2f1f044e7) { .we-meter {   --we-red: #DB3745;   --we-charcoal: #323E48;   --we-blue: #15BEF0;   --we-slate: #85A0AB;   --we-gold: #ECC270;   --we-text: #323E48;   --we-border: #85A0AB;    max-width: 800px;   margin: 0 auto;   padding: 1.5rem;   border: 1px solid rgba(33, 39, 42, 0.4);   border-radius: 12px;   background: #fff;   color: var(--we-text);   font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; }  .we-grid {   display: grid;   grid-template-columns: 1fr 200px;   gap: 1.5rem;   align-items: center; }  .we-title {   margin: 0 0 0.5rem;   font-family: Constantia, \"Lucida Bright\", \"DejaVu Serif\", Georgia, \"serif\" !important;   font-size: 1.75rem !important;   line-height: 1.1 !important;   letter-spacing: -0.02em !important; }  .we-title span {   display: block;   color: var(--we-red); }  .we-copy {   margin: 0;   font-size: 1rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-actions {   text-align: center; }  .we-cta {   display: flex;   align-items: center;   justify-content: center;   gap: 8px;   width: 100%;   padding: 12px 16px;   border-radius: 8px;   background: var(--we-red);   color: #fff !important;   text-decoration: none;   font-size: 0.9rem !important;   font-weight: 700 !important; }  .we-arrow {   font-size: 1.2em !important; }  .we-member {   margin: 12px 0 0;   font-size: 0.85rem !important;   line-height: 1.4 !important; }  .we-member a {   color: var(--we-red);   text-decoration: none; }  @media (max-width: 600px) {   .we-grid {     grid-template-columns: 1fr;     gap: 1rem;   }   .we-meter {     padding: 1.25rem;   }   .we-cta {     padding: 14px;   } } }<\/style>\n<p><script>if (typeof CSSScopeRule == 'undefined') { const style = document.getElementById('mos-47956d51-b3c1-4581-8d16-0ac2f1f044e7-style'); if (style) { style.textContent = style.textContent.replace(\/^@scope (#mos-47956d51-b3c1-4581-8d16-0ac2f1f044e7) { \/, '').replace(\/}$\/, '');}}<\/script><\/p>\n<div id=\"mos-47956d51-b3c1-4581-8d16-0ac2f1f044e7\" style=\"display: contents;\">\n<section class=\"we-meter\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription meter\">\n<div class=\"we-grid\">\n<div>\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Stay informed.<span>Stay ahead.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-copy\">                  Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most.       <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"we-actions\">       <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\/\">         <span>See Options<\/span>         <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>       <\/a>       <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? 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<a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/print-subscription-check\">Click here to login\/register your account<\/a> <\/div>\n<div class=\"we-digital-subscriber\">      Digital subscriber? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\/\">Click here to login\/register your account.<\/a> <\/div>\n<section class=\"we-inline-barrier\" aria-label=\"Washington Examiner subscription offer\">\n<div class=\"we-inner\">\n<h2 class=\"we-title\">Trusted reporting.<span>Unlimited access.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"we-deck\">              Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis,       and subscriber-only journalism.     <\/p>\n<p>     <a class=\"we-cta\" href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/subscribe\/digital\">       <span>Get Unlimited Access<\/span>       <span class=\"we-arrow\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\u203a<\/span>     <\/a>     <\/p>\n<p class=\"we-member\">Already a member? <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/sign-in\">Log in<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"we-cancel\">Cancel anytime.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<p><script> (window._matherq = window._matherq || []).push([   'paywallEvent',   {     type: 'paywall',     category: 'block',     action: 'stop',     wall_type: 'paywall'   } ]); <\/script>     <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAgainst all odds, Christa Pike is conscious, speaking, and continues to receive critical medical care,\u201d Pike\u2019s attorneys said in a statement. \u201cDespite the severe damage she endured to her arms, she is still handcuffed and shackled to the bed. Her recovery is medically unprecedented. Her prognosis remains unclear but, at a minimum, we expect a long recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pike\u2019s execution was supposed to take place at 10 a.m. Sept. 30, but the court <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4748147\/christa-pike-tennessee-execution-halted-court\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">delayed the execution<\/a> to consider Pike\u2019s challenge regarding her history of childhood sexual abuse. After the Supreme Court allowed the execution to take place, with three justices nominated by Democratic presidents dissenting, the botched execution occurred on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pike was still alive after being administered two lethal doses of pentobarbital last week, after which she was transported to a nearby <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/hospital\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"1650\">hospital<\/a>. Her attorneys previously said she could be heard \u201ccrying and whimpering\u201d before saying her arm felt like it was \u201cabout to burst open.\u201d Additionally, lawyers for Pike stated that \u201cone needle was bent at a 90-degree angle when it was removed.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pike\u2019s legal team is not communicating directly with doctors but rather through an individual given medical power of attorney by Pike, assistant federal defender Stephen Ferrell said on Sunday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pike was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy charges and sentenced to death in 1996, when she was 20. Pike was convicted and sentenced for murdering her classmate, Colleen Slemmer, when she was 18, alongside Pike\u2019s then-17-year-old boyfriend, Tadaryl Shipp, who was sentenced to life in prison.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Tuesday, Pike\u2019s attorneys praised the medical staff  treating her, saying they \u201ctreated Christa like a human and have provided exceptional care to her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4749834\/christa-pike-tennessee-botched-lethal-injection-attempts-what-to-know\/\">CHRISTA PIKE WAS SET TO BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO BE EXECUTED IN TENNESSEE IN 200 YEARS BEFORE BOTCHED ATTEMPTS: WHAT TO KNOW<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The legal team for Pike is due to appear in court on Wednesday. Her attorneys previously requested that the evidence showing the \u201cincompetent and reckless actions\u201d during the execution be preserved.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Corrections Commissioner Frank Strada announced his resignation following Pike\u2019s botched execution. Strada said his stepping down was \u201cin the best interest of Tennesseans\u201d as an independent review examines what happened with Pike\u2019s execution attempt.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tennessee woman survives failed execution, awake and speaking<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2677310,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26267715330962.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[86499,33010,8123,32285,86798],"class_list":["post-2677309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-christa-pike","tag-criminal-justice","tag-execution","tag-legal-case","tag-prison-news"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/AP26267715330962.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2677309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2677309"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2677309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2677312,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2677309\/revisions\/2677312"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2677310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2677309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2677309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2677309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}