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According to a statement, Pike has unusually small veins and thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder that can cause excessive bleeding, conditions her attorney says could make inserting an IV exceptionally difficult.
He warned that her veins “make the insertion of a needle difficult, even for the most trained medical professionals,” adding that “the difficulty establishing IV lines is a known complication that has caused prolonged and botched executions for years.”
Ferrell also argued Pike’s medical condition could leave her with “a bloody froth in her lungs that would amount to drowning.”
“Since the state released the 2025 execution protocol, defense counsel, medical experts, and advocates have warned that the lack of clarity on any number of issues would result in a torturous execution,” he concluded.
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