Ayers denied the claim that Pike’s lawyers were given limited access to their client.
He also informed Myles that some evidence may not be able to be preserved because it is no longer in the possession of the TDOC.
Christa Pike’s Lawyer Heads to Court Over Evidence From Her Botched Execution — What Happens Next?
Posted by Team - October 8, 2026
Christa Pike Remains Handcuffed, Shackled to Hospital Bed Despite Injuries and Medical Staff’s Objections: Attorney
At a court hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 7, Pike’s attorney said that state officials are ignoring the medical staff’s requests
An attorney for Christa Pike appeared in Davidson County Chancery Court on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at a hearing to decide whether or not evidence from his client’s botched execution attempt on Sept. 30 would be preserved.
Chancellor I’Ashea L. Myles ultimately sided with Pike’s attorney, Luke Ihnen, and ordered that the Tennessee Department of Corrections (TDOC) maintain all physical evidence, communications and video from that night, as related to the failed attempt.
This was not the only issue raised in court by Ihnen, who also asked the judge to consider the insistence by state correctional officers that Pike remain shackled and handcuffed to her hospital bed.
Ihnen claimed that Pike is currently kept “handcuffed and shackled” in the bed against the advice of her medical team.
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Myles declined to issue a ruling on this and asked Ihnen to provide the court with an affidavit from the hospital or a member of Pike’s medical team stating that she is being shackled against their advice. Ihnen had explained that there were specific concerns about Pike being handcuffed because of the extent of her injuries.
Myles issued her rulings after listening to arguments for over an hour from both Ihnen and ᴀssistant Attorney General John W. Ayers.
She specifically said that the TDOC must preserve physical evidence from inside the execution room — including any trash, needles, medical supplies, gurneys and the IV lines — surveillance footage, handwritten notes or logs, pH๏τographs, emails and any encrypted messages.
Myles also requested that the TDOC preserve all information and communication relating to the botched execution, as well as the manuals and guidelines used in preparation for delivering a lethal injection.
In response to claims that state officials were blocking his access to his client in the hospital, Ihnen was informed that visitation hours at the hospital would be the same as in the prison, unless those hours somehow violated hospital policy.
✓ Team
Christa Pike Remains Handcuffed, Shackled to Hospital Bed Despite Injuries and Medical Staff’s Objections: Attorney At a court hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 7, Pike’s attorney said that…