Christa Pike Returns to Prison After Failed Tennessee Execution

Death row inmate Christa Pike, 50, was discharged from a hospital and returned to prison in Tennessee on Saturday after surviving a failed lethal injection attempt on September 30. Her lawyers said she will continue receiving medical care following the execution attempt.

Pike was sent back to the Deborah K Johnson rehabilitation center, where she has spent the last 30 years, according to a statement from her attorneys. She had received two doses of pentobarbital before being hospitalized in critical condition.

Pike regained consciousness days after the failed execution and began speaking after her legal team initially believed she might be brain dead. Her lawyers previously said she faced a "long road to recovery" while medical staff monitored her condition.

"She is grateful to the first responders and her medical team for their care in these extraordinary circumstances" said Pike's lawyers in a statement.

The attorneys said Pike continues to receive treatment at the prison and that they will monitor her recovery. The Tennessee Department of Correction has not explained why the execution failed but has defended its approved procedure.

"Where am I?" and "Who are you?" were reported by lawyer Randy Spivey as Pike's first words after waking up. Spivey said she had been suffering from pneumonia, arm swelling and difficulty swallowing after the failed injection.

"She was angry and confused" said Randy Spivey, lawyer, describing Pike's mental state after the incident.

Pike's legal team said witnesses described the execution process as abnormal, while officials maintained that protocol was followed. Medical experts have suggested possible issues including the drug missing the vein or problems with the injection process.

"Nothing was normal" said witnesses present during the execution chamber procedure.

Pike's lawyers later reported improvements in her condition after the hospitalization period. They said she was able to move and communicate, though she still had physical limitations.

"She was up and walking" said Pike's lawyer after her condition improved.

"She was somewhat foggy" said Pike's lawyer, describing her state after regaining mobility.

Pike was convicted in 1995 for the torture and murder of Colleen Slemmer, a 19-year-old Knoxville Job Corps participant. She received a death sentence, while Tadaryl Shipp, who was under 18 at the time of the crime, received life imprisonment.

In a previous clemency petition, Pike reflected on the murder and her responsibility for it. Her lawyers have renewed calls to replace her sentence with life without parole.

"It took me numerous years to even realize the gravity of what I'd done. Even more to accept how many lives I affected. I took the life of someone's child, sister, friend. It sickens me now to think I had the ability to commit such a crime" said Christa Pike in an earlier clemency petition.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee paused executions in the state for the rest of the year after Pike's failed execution. Officials have not said whether Tennessee will attempt another execution for Pike.

"He was vicious – he was violent" said Donald Trump, referring to Nidal Hasan, whose planned execution drew separate national attention.

Trump said he had not decided whether to allow a planned livestream of Hasan's execution. He described the options during comments reported after the military's announcement.

"I will make a decision" said Donald Trump, referring to the livestreaming plan.

"There are two thoughts: don't show it and show" said Donald Trump about the possible broadcast.