Woman hospitalized after surviving execution twice

A Tennessee woman convicted of murder yesterday survived two lethal injection doses and was hospitalized, her lawyers said, marking the state’s second failed execution in months and prompting it to halt capital punishment this year.

Hours earlier on Wednesday, the Supreme Court cleared the way for Christa Pike, 50, to become the first woman to be executed in Tennessee in 200 years — but the attempt failed.

“This event is the worst we’ve seen and unlike any other botched execution in the modern era,” Death Penalty Information Center executive director Robin Maher said. “There is no precedent.”

Christa Pike, 36, the only woman on Tennessee’s Death Row, is pictured in this 2004 photo.

Photo: Tennessee Department of Correction via REUTERS

The Tennessee Department of Correction said it “followed every step of the state’s lawful, established execution protocol.”

Her attorneys said she was transported to a nearby hospital, adding they have not been informed as to her condition.

“Tonight the State of Tennessee once again failed to carry out a lawful execution,” the attorneys said in a statement.

Tennessee halted the execution by lethal injection of Tony Carruthers in May after medical staff were unable to tap a vein.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called for a “comprehensive, third-party review” after Pike’s failed execution.

“The remaining scheduled execution will not be carried out this year,” Lee said — apparently referencing the execution of convicted killer Gary Wayne Sutton scheduled for Dec. 3.

The case has sparked debate over capital punishment for young criminals.

Pike was 18 when she and her boyfriend beat and killed Colleen Slemmer, 19, at a job training camp for young people.

The killing gained national attention after Slemmer’s body was found with a pentagram, often seen as a satanic symbol, carved in her chest.

Pike’s lawyers said she should be granted clemency due to her young age and mental health issues at the time of the killing.

“She was 18 when she committed her crime, and she was deeply mentally ill,” they said.

The US Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected an application for a stay of execution, which said that Pike’s history as a victim of sexual assault, post-traumatic stress disorder and a blood condition meant a lethal injection would cause “needless suffering.”