Tennessee Death Penalty Pause: Expert Review of Pike Injection

Tennessee has suspended all scheduled executions following a detailed review of the failed lethal injection administered to inmate Christa Pike on September 30.

Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of classmate Colleen Slemmer. The state attempted to execute her at the Tennessee State Prison on September 30. Her attorney, Randy Spivey, filed a chronology of the event in court proceedings on October 22. The document describes four team members spending nearly an hour attempting to insert intravenous lines. They used approximately 10 needles during that period. Spivey noted the team expressed concern that Pike's veins might have ruptured at several points.

Jonathan Groner, an emeritus professor of clinical surgery at Ohio State University, analyzed the timeline. He stated that the vial label for pentobarbital instructs medical staff to stop infusion immediately if a patient reports pain. Pike grimaced and stated her arm was burning. At 7:05 p.m., a team member requested a 24 gauge needle. Joel Zivot, an anesthesiology professor in Atlanta, testified that such a catheter is typically used for infants. Tennessee protocol required 50cc of pentobarbital to be pushed into each arm. Zivot stated it was impossible to push that volume through a 24 gauge catheter without damaging the vein. At 7:07 p.m., a team member said the vein was blown.

The team also used ultrasound to locate veins. Groner noted that proficient use of this technique requires hours of specialist training and up to 20 actual procedures. He observed the team did not appear to know how to use the equipment. At 7:23 p.m., saline was pushed through the line with difficulty. The team declared the line ready at 7:24 p.m. Groner said no clinician would administer a caustic drug through a line that does not flush easily.

Pike's legal team had previously warned the state that her veins were exceptionally small. Zivot identified a poorly written protocol and a lack of clear leadership as key failings. He also noted the team used technology they may not have been permitted to employ.

Pike spent 10 days in a hospital after the procedure. She required a ventilator for several days before returning to her prison cell. She can now talk and walk. The state has halted all executions while it reviews the process.

Zivot and Groner both identified the event as a failure of safety and accountability. Zivot said the team continued when they should have stopped. Groner described the method as a medical charade. The state will decide on future executions after the review is complete.