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Christa Gail Pike
Now, with her execution date approaching, Pike has been fighting Tennessee’s planned method of execution.
Her legal team challenged the state’s lethal injection protocol, arguing that it could cause severe pain and violate her constitutional rights. According to her attorneys, it could also lead to complications because she suffers from thrombocytosis, a blood-clotting disorder.
They argued that the condition could become worse when she is given a fatal dose of pentobarbital intravenously. Her lawyers also pointed to what they described as small, compromised veins, arguing that establishing an IV could itself cause significant pain, according to VT.
The issue was considered in Knox County during nearly a week of proceedings in August. However, many of Pike’s arguments were rejected by Senior Judge Mark Ward, who was serving as special judge, acting as clerk and master.
In a report released Friday, Ward concluded that Pike’s medical condition would not prevent prison officials from establishing an IV.
Scheduled to be executed
Experts stated that she would lose consciousness within 20-30 seconds after receiving the injection, and therefore it will happen before she’s able to feel any pain.
The court also noted that Pike had not provided sufficient evidence to establish that her veins were too small for an IV. Ward pointed to her medical records, which showed that medical professionals had successfully drawn blood from her in the past.
He said: “At most, Ms. Pike has shown that she could experience some unknown amount of pain from peripheral IV access, but no more than any other person would,” according to VT.
Pike’s attorneys had argued that a deeper central-line IV would be a more humane option. They also suggested hanging as an alternative.