Christa Pike’s attorneys raise concerns over physician ahead of September execution
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Attorneys for Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike are raising new concerns.
The concerns are regarding the physician expected to participate in her execution, which is scheduled for September 30.
She is currently the only woman on Tennessee’s death row.
The latest concerns come one week after Tennessee executed Darrell Hines on August 13 and months after the state was unable to complete the May execution of Tony Carruthers.
Stephen Ferrell with Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee released a statement.
We are deeply disappointed in the Special Master’s denial of our emergency motion to reopen Christa Pike’s hearing to address the qualifications of the TDOC physician who will participate in any execution of Ms. Pike,” Ferrell said.
Pike’s attorneys allege the physician also participated in the attempted execution of Carruthers and last week’s execution of Hines.
Carruthers’ execution was halted in May after officials were unable to establish IV access. Gov. Bill Lee later issued Carruthers a one-year reprieve.
Concerns surrounding whether the same physician would participate in Hines’ execution also became the subject of litigation ahead of August 13.
Pike’s attorneys are now questioning the physician’s ability to establish the central line Pike has requested because of what they describe as the compromised condition of her veins.
He is not competent to perform this procedure,” Ferrell said. “He has no hospital privileges to do so.. Christa should not have to wait until she is strapped to the execution gurney to know that the person performing this critical procedure is competent to do so and that her execution will not be torturous,
The Tennessee Supreme Court has ordered Pike’s execution to take place September 30 unless another court or appropriate authority intervenes.
The order also requires prison officials to notify Pike by August 28 of the method TDOC intends to use to carry out her execution.
FOX 17 News has been following the developments leading up to Pike’s scheduled execution and will continue to provide updates as September 30 approaches.