Tennessee Asks Judge to Block Testing of Drug from Pike Execution

Tennessee is asking a judge to block Christa Pike’s attorneys from inspecting or testing leftover pentobarbital from her failed September execution, arguing that vial labels or handling could reveal the supplier’s identity. A state corrections employee said the supplier might stop providing the drug if identified, potentially making it difficult for Tennessee to carry out future executions. Pike’s attorneys seek access to investigate why two doses did not kill her and whether the attempt violated her constitutional protection against cruel and unusual punishment; they say the drug may have pooled in her arms, causing burns and blistering. The dispute follows a judge’s order requiring the state to preserve physical and other evidence from the execution attempt.