From ABC7 New York · · 1m
911 calls reveal confusion in Christa Pike's botched execution
Tennessee judge releases 911 calls showing confusion during Christa Pike's failed execution attempt.
In brief
Tennessee judge releases 911 calls showing confusion during Christa Pike's failed execution attempt. Christa Pike survived a botched execution after two pentobarbital injections, with medical staff reporting she was 'not conscious' and 'breathing very labored' at the time. Originally reported by ABC7 New York.
911 calls released
Newly released 911 calls capture confusion after Christa Pike's botched execution.
“The person is not yet deceased”
Execution attempt
Christa Pike survived two lethal injections of pentobarbital.
First 911 call
A caller from Riverbend Maximum Security Institution reported administering 10 grams of pentobarbital and the person not yet deceased.
“We've been carrying out an execution tonight. We've administered 10 grams of pentobarbital. The person is not yet deceased. That started approximately 1 hour ago. And we're calling for an ambulance”
Dispatcher confusion
The dispatcher asked for a code to verify the call but the caller said they didn't have one.
“How do they not have a code?”
Verification attempt
Tennessee Department of Correction Central Control was contacted to verify the failed execution.
“We have responders that are standing by. We're just trying to verify”
Attorney's call
Pike's attorney requested immediate life-saving care for the person who was 'not awake and snoring'.
“Pike was still alive and breathing, and needs immediate life-saving care”
Medical status
Pike was reported to have 'breathing very labored and slow' with no chest pain.
“No. The breathing is very labored and slow”
The one thing
Christa Pike survived a botched execution after two pentobarbital injections, with medical staff reporting she was 'not conscious' and 'breathing very labored' at the time.
