Christa Pike's Failed Lethal Injection Execution

Christa Gail Pike, sentenced to death for a murder committed at age 18, became the first death row inmate to survive a lethal injection attempt. Witnesses described her complaining of arm pain, followed by breathing and snoring sounds for nearly an hour before she was transported to a hospital. The

What is established so far

• First known case of a death row inmate surviving lethal injection
• Pike exhibited pain, breathing, and snoring for ~1 hour post-injection
• Federal court had previously stayed her execution
• Convicted for a murder at age 18 in Tennessee