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Pike’s attorneys are now once again calling on authorities in Tennessee to reconsider – while suggesting the state is incapable of of carrying out her execution via lethal injection.
They have argued that the failed attempt to execute Tony Carruthers, 57, in May this year is evidence of this. He’s been granted a one-year reprieve after the medical team were unable to find a suitable second vein to establish a backup IV line, which is required under lethal injection execution protocol.
The incident involving Tony Carruthers has caused further concern among Pike’s legal team (Tennessee Department of Corrections)
The Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) said the ‘procedure was unsuccessful’ and therefore the ‘execution was then called off’.
Maria DeLiberato, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer representing Carruthers, said she watched him ‘wincing and groaning’, and described the situation as ‘horrible’ to watch, as per AP.
Lethal injection is the primary execution method in the state and a drug called pentobarbital is administered to death row inmates.
In wake of what happened to Carruthers, Pike’s legal team warned the state that similar circumstances could unfold when she is put to death in September.
They explained that she has complex medical issues, including a blood-clotting condition known as thrombocytopenia, bipolar disorder, PTSD and has ‘small veins that make insertion of a needle difficult’.
Pike’s lawyers say she faces a ‘torturous execution’
Ferrell said the size of her veins will ‘make the insertion of a needle difficult, even for the most trained medical professionals’.
“The difficulty establishing IV lines is a known complication that has caused prolonged and botched executions for years,” he added.
“Since the state released the 2025 execution protocol, defence counsel, medical experts, and advocates have warned that the lack of clarity on any number of issues would result in a torturous execution.”
Ihnen also reportedly said: “Tony Carruthers’ botched execution sheds light on what we already knew and have warned the State of Tennessee about for more than a year: TDOC lacks the qualified and trained medical personnel required to ensure prisoners do not face unnecessary pain and suffering as they are executed. Tennessee must confront this harsh reality or we will face another torturous execution.”
Pike’s lawyers want the Tennessee Supreme Court to assign a ‘special master’ to investigate their concerns. This title refers to a person employed by a court when it is accused of failing to carry out its duties, who then compiles evidence impartially.