Trump issues verdict as death row killer Christa Pike survives botched execution

Trump issues verdict as death row killer Christa Pike survives botched execution Donald Trump has spoken out after death row killer Christa Pike survived lethal drug doses in Tennessee’s death chamber Donald Trump has been speaking about Christa Pike, the death row killer who survived a botched execution. Pike, 50, was administered two lethal injection in Tennessee’s death chamber but survived and remains in critical condition in hospital, with her long term chances of recovery unknown. Tennessee went forward with the execution on Wednesday eight hours after it was originally scheduled to have taken place, following a delay caused by a court ruling that temporarily paused the execution. And now US president Donald Trump has waded, saying that there was a problem with the medication and that the Pike case was an “interesting situation”. Asked by reporters whether he would push for changes to capital punishment, Trump said it was for state authorities to decide. “Well, that was an interesting situation, but you’re going to have to speak to Tennessee about it, whether or not they’re going to go forward,” Trump said. “You know what that was about. That was an execution where the medication didn’t exactly work.” Trump then turned to Republican congressman Ronny Jackson, a physician who previously served as his White House doctor, and asked: “How does that happen? He’s a great doctor.” Jackson replied: “I don’t know how that happens. It should be easy to do.” “It shouldn’t be very difficult,” Mr Trump added. Within hours of the failed execution, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee cancelled the state’s last execution of 2026, scheduled for December 3, and ordered a comprehensive third-party investigation into what went wrong with Pike. “It needs to be done thoroughly and however long that takes, whatever process is required to make sure we get to the very end of it and all the questions are answered,” Lee said. Pike was 18 when she and her boyfriend at the time tortured and murdered 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, who they met at a job camp for troubled teenagers, on January 12, 1995. She became the youngest woman sentenced to death the following year. The murder fuelled Satanic panic of the 80s and 90s when a pentagram symbol was found carved onto Colleen's chest. Pike then used a chunk of asphalt to smash Slemmer's head, before proceeding to take and keep a piece of the skull. She later showed people pieces of the skull at school, leading police to investigate. The piece of skull was later found in the pocket of Pike's jacket. This is a Breaking News story. You’ll be more likely to see our stories when any big news breaks in future by simply by clicking this link. You can also join The Mirror’s WhatsApp Community or follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads - or visit The Mirror homepage.