More details have emerged about the failed execution of death row inmate Christa Pike.
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Pike was set to be the first woman executed in Tennessee in over 200 years. She was convicted for her role in the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer on September 30. But in an unprecedented turn of events, she survived two lethal injection doses.
Doctor Who Performed Pike's Injection Had Failed Another Execution Months Prior
The latest update alleges that the doctor who performed Pike's procedure had run into issues during another execution. This happened just months before administering the lethal injections to Pike.
Dr. Mark Fowler was also the lead physician assigned to oversee the execution of Tony Carruthers in May. However, the execution was postponed. Due to Dr. Fowler and the three members of the IV team struggling to establish two IV lines. According to a Wednesday (November 4) report from PEOPLE.
The report also adds that in a 2025 deposition, Dr. Fowler said he had not inserted a central IV line since 2013.
Deputy Chief Say Tennessee Needs to Address Issues
Kit Thomas, Deputy Chief of the Capital Habeas Unit for the Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Tennessee, believes that an investigation needs to be launched. To address why all the failed executions continue to happen in the state.
"The investigation into why Tennessee keeps botching executions should have been launched in May. When TDOC subjected Tony Carruthers to more than an hour of pain and suffering. Before his execution had to be called off," Thomas said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.
Thomas also blasted Tennessee for its "flawed" protocols. And that the state needs to take "accountability" for its role in the proceedings.
"Christa Pike's botched execution happened after state officials ignored our warnings about their flawed protocol," Thomas added. "These problems will keep happening until Tennessee takes meaningful steps to increase transparency, oversight, and accountability in the execution process. Executions must not resume until it does."
In a statement released through her lawyers on Friday (October 30), Pike says that she is "recovering." Still, she adds that she is "deeply hurt by the incompetence" of the state in its failed attempt at executing her.
"I still struggle to speak," the statement reads via ABC News. "And the pain isn't just physical. There is pain in my mind and in my soul," she said.
At the time of writing, there is no scheduled date for a second execution for Pike.
