Christa Pike survives Tennessee execution attempt after 2 lethal injections; taken to hospital

After this, Pike’s lawyer filed a federal court motion during the execution, saying witnesses who said the lethal injection drugs had been administered but that Pike was still alive and snoring, NBC News reported.

Journalists who were present during the execution also said Pike was snoring, taking loud breaths and gasping. She also complained of pain and seen repeatedly kicked her feet, at one point knocking the sheets off her, NBC reported.

The viewing curtain was closed at several points, leaving journalists able to hear sounds but unable to see what was happening.

An investigative producer at Knoxville’s WBIR-TV John North said, “It appeared that this did not go like they thought it was supposed to go…when journalists left the prison, Pike was believed to still be alive.”

An ambulance was later seen arriving at the prison and leaving the facility.

What prison department said

The Tennessee Department of Correction said it had followed the state’s approved execution protocol.

“The Tennessee Department of Correction followed every step of the state’s lawful, established execution protocol approved by the Attorney General’s Office,” the department said in a statement.

As per the Department, the lethal injection chemicals used were part of a protocol that had consistently been effective and that the procedure did not allow for additional steps beyond those already carried out.