Christa Pike is experiencing significant psychological trauma after surviving a botched execution, according to her legal team, which says her physical condition is improving but she is struggling with memory and concentration.
Her lawyers – Randy Spivey, Kelly Gleason, Stephen Ferrell and Luke Ihnen – said Pike is eating a regular diet and that her lungs are clear. They warned, however, that “significant questions remain about the long-term effects of what she endured”.
“Christa is dealing with the profound psychological trauma of having survived a failed execution, including the terror, pain and uncertainty of believing she was about to die,” they said.
During an emergency hearing on Wednesday, Mr Ihnen described the extent of Pike’s physical injuries. He said she had lost movement in her arms and hands, which were swollen “like if you were to blow up a surgical glove”.
The lawyers said her physical recovery had been remarkable but maintained that the execution ordeal had taken a serious psychological toll.
They are continuing to call on Governor Bill Lee to commute Pike’s death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Pike was due to be executed for the 1995 murder of her classmate, Colleen Slemmer.
