Christa Pike’s attorneys file motion challenging constitutionality of lethal injection

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Attorneys for Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike have filed a new motion in the Tennessee Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the state’s lethal injection protocol.

Pike’s attorneys are asking the court to appoint a Special Master to investigate how the state’s lethal injection protocol would work in her case, pointing to what they call her unique physical, medical and mental health conditions.

They say the conditions she has could lead to a torturous death under the current protocol.

This filing comes after the failed execution of Tony Carruthers.

Related Coverage: TN governor puts off Tony Carruthers’ execution for 1 year after failed lethal injection

“The State of Tennessee is not able to constitutionally carry out executions,” wrote Luke Ihnen, counsel for Pike. “Tony Carruthers’ botched execution sheds light on what we already knew... TDOC lacks the qualified and trained medical personnel required to ensure prisoners do not face unnecessary pain and suffering as they are executed.”

Pike was convicted of the torture and murder of Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville back in 1995. Prosecutors said Pike tortured and killed Slemmer on the University of Tennessee Agriculture campus after she thought Slemmer was trying to steal her boyfriend.

Previous Coverage: Tennessee’s only woman on death row files lawsuit alleging execution method violates rights, religious beliefs

Pike is scheduled for execution on Sept. 30.