«My arm is going to burst»: Christa Pike’s words after her failed execution

Christa Pike said she felt her arm «about to burst» during the execution attempt on September 30 in Nashville, Tennessee. The state interrupted the procedure because she remained alive after receiving 2 doses of the drug intended for lethal injection.

What did Christa Pike say to witnesses?

«I feel like my arm is about to burst,» said Christa Pike during the procedure, according to Tori Gessner, WKRN journalist. Gessner witnessed the execution attempt from the media viewing room at the Riverbend maximum-security prison. She also reported that Pike pointed to an area of her arm and that her spiritual advisor asked her to relax.

The remark about her arm was not her formal statement before the procedure began. At that moment, Pike said she was leaving «with love» and that she was at peace, according to witnesses cited by Associated Press. Her later remarks drew attention because she was still able to speak during the execution attempt.

How did the execution attempt end?

Tennessee attempted to execute Pike on September 30 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer in 1995. Witnesses saw the execution chamber curtains open at 7:27 p.m. local time. After the procedure began, Pike remained conscious during part of what was observed.

According to Associated Press, her lawyers reported that she received 2 doses of pentobarbital. Journalists continued to hear her breathing behind the curtains until the microphone was cut off at 8:53 p.m. She was then transported by ambulance to receive medical care.

On October 1, her lawyers said Pike remained alive, in critical condition, and under hospital treatment. Attorney Randall Spivey clarified to NBC News that they did not yet know her prognosis. Information about her health comes from her legal team, not from a detailed public medical report.