Posted on 10/14/2026 8:52:28 AM PDT by xxqqzz
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A Tennessee attorney says the delay from confusion in getting an ambulance to Riverbend Maximum Security Institution following Christa Pike's failed execution could lead to additional lawsuits against the state.
What did Christa Pike do?
Then 18-year-old Christa Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville.
Prosecutors say Pike tortured and brutally killed Slemmer in a jealous rage and took a piece of her skull as a souvenir.
Mike Working is a Memphis attorney who has handled death penalty cases and says the lawsuits could name the Tennessee Department of Correction among other parties.
"If an attorney believes that there has been some negligence or error of the state that has caused the brain damage, that could maybe have a medical malpractice claim or some sort of civil rights violation claim," Working told FOX 17 News.
Working argues the delay in getting emergency medical help to Pike could have worsened her condition.
"Now when you're being deprived of oxygen, every second matters," Working said.
The Nashville Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) says the first 911 call came in at 8:40 p.m. on September 30. Nearly 50 minutes later, video shows an ambulance leaving Riverbend Prison.
(Excerpt) Read more at newschannel9.com ...
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Bring back hanging. Works every time.
“Now when you’re being deprived of oxygen, every second matters,”. Unless you are being executed. What in the world is wrong with this system??? What part of execution don’t these people understand?! She should’ve been wheeled back into the room and given more drugs until she died.
True.
It’s a shame she survived.
Why, she was supposed to die. They had no obligation to provide any medical services.
a lot less cost. 1 piece of rope, under $1, AND it’s re-useable. Win-win.
Wait is this a joke, seriously, they are going to sue because her murdering ass didnt get an ambulance right away..see this is why when she was hooked up to a ventilator, this is why they should have pulled the damn plug it would have been win/win
You can’t make this stuff up.
Something tells me that this woman is never going to be executed, and that she will get rich and famous over this.
Or you could just execute her right now and correct the procedural error.
She is still sentenced to be executed.
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