Christa Pike’s attorneys say they were told she was brain dead and would be taken off life support — only for the convicted killer to unexpectedly wake up and begin speaking the following morning.

Pike’s attorney Randall “Randy” Spivey revealed the startling development during a news conference outside the Davidson County Chancery Court in Nashville on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

According to Spivey, he was told on the evening of Monday, Oct. 5, that Pike was not expected to survive after her botched execution six days earlier.

“On Monday night it was our understanding that Christa was brain dead and that life support would be removed the next day,” Spivey said.

“But on Tuesday, to the shock of everyone, Christa woke up and began talking.”

Spivey said he could not explain what changed between Monday night and Tuesday morning.

“I don’t have an explanation for what happened between Monday night and Tuesday morning,” he said, adding that Pike “has a long road to recovery.”

Pike Wakes Up and Asks, “Where Am I?”

Spivey said he was not in the hospital room when Pike regained consciousness Tuesday morning, but was later told about the moment.

“I don’t want to speculate too much, but from our understanding the first thing she said when she woke up was, ‘Where am I, and who are you?’” he said.

Pike reportedly has some memory of what happened to her during the failed execution on Sept. 30.

However, Spivey said she remains confused about many things and is often “spaced out” for extended periods.

He also said Pike is “very aware that the state tried to execute her.”

Pike is currently being treated at an undisclosed Nashville hospital.

Pike Remains Seriously Ill

Despite regaining consciousness, Pike continues to face significant medical problems.

Spivey said she has a blood clot in her arm and is suffering from pneumonia. She also remains unable to swallow and has not eaten in approximately a week.

The attorney declined to provide specific medical assessments, noting that he is not a medical professional.

He emphasized that Pike still faces a difficult recovery.

Judge Orders Tennessee to Preserve Execution Evidence

The attorneys’ comments came after a court hearing concerning Pike’s legal challenge against the state.

After more than an hour of arguments Wednesday, Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles ordered the Tennessee Department of Corrections to preserve evidence related to Pike’s failed execution.

The order covers physical evidence from the execution chamber, including trash, needles, medical supplies, gurneys and IV lines.

It also requires the state to preserve surveillance footage, handwritten notes and logs, photographs, emails and encrypted messages.

Myles further ordered TDOC to retain communications and information connected to the execution, along with the manuals and guidelines used to prepare for the lethal injection.

Pike’s attorneys are seeking to investigate what happened during the execution, which failed after she was administered two fatal doses of pentobarbital.

Attorneys Raise Concerns About Pike’s Hospital Treatment

Pike was represented in court by attorney Luke Ihnen, Spivey’s co-counsel.

Ihnen accused state officials of restricting his access to Pike while she remains hospitalized. He also alleged that corrections officers have kept Pike shackled and handcuffed to her hospital bed despite objections from medical staff.

Assistant Attorney General John W. Ayers, representing the state, disputed the claim that Pike’s attorneys had been given limited access to her.

Ayers also said some evidence might not be available for preservation because it is no longer in the possession of the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

During the hearing, Ayers declined to answer when Chancellor Myles asked whether the state still intended to carry out Pike’s execution.

For now, Pike remains hospitalized as her attorneys pursue legal action surrounding the botched execution and seek answers about what happened in the hours before she unexpectedly regained consciousness.

Source: Compiled from various sources