Press Conference Timeline

Opening Remarks and Initial Observations

• Conference start • Unknown

  • The press conference begins with participants introducing themselves and their affiliations.

• Initial overview of the execution • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_07 (Catherine Sweeney, WPLN) provides a brief overview, noting that Krista Pike was still breathing when witnesses were told to leave at 8:53 PM. She mentions two rounds of pentobarbital were administered, which she found unusual.

• Timeline of early events • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_07 mentions Krista Pike started coughing at 7:28 AM and that they (the media) arrived at 7:27 AM.
  • SPEAKER_07 states they entered the witness chamber at 6:27 AM.

Last Words and Initial Procedure

• Krista Pike's last words • 7:26 AM

  • SPEAKER_00 (Damon Lawrence, Roan County News) reports that the warden asked Krista Pike if she had any last words at 7:26 AM. She responded, "I do," and proceeded to say she wanted to leave the world the way she spent most of her life, "with love." She expressed love for both those angry with her and those on her side, stating she was at peace and ready to go. Her spiritual advisor was present.

• Introduction of WBIR reporter • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_01 (John North, WBIR Television) introduces himself and mentions covering the case since 1995, including Krista Pike's trial.

• Questions about transparency • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_01 highlights questions about what was seen and not seen due to moments when the blinds were up or down, suggesting the execution did not go as planned. He notes that by the time the blinds went down for the second time at 8:05 AM, Pike was still breathing.

• Concerns about breathing during the execution • 8:05 AM onwards

  • SPEAKER_01 describes Pike's breathing as rhythmic at times, and labored or snoring at others, but still present. He emphasizes that witnesses could not see what was happening from 8:05 AM until they left the building with the blinds down, despite hearing activity.

Witness Chamber Entry and Procedural Delays

• Entry into witness chamber • Around 6:41 AM

  • SPEAKER_02 (Tori Gessner, WKRN) reports entering the witness chamber around 6:41 AM and waiting for nearly an hour, which is unusual.

• Opening of curtains and last words • 7:26 AM

  • SPEAKER_02 notes the curtains opened for the first time at 7:26 AM, and Pike spoke her last words, mentioning her "haters" and looking forward to being free.

• Spiritual advisor's presence and interaction • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_02 describes Pike's spiritual advisor being with her, touching her, singing "I love you so much," and saying "I'll go in peace."

• Pike's physical complaints • 7:34 AM

  • SPEAKER_02 recounts Pike saying at 7:34 AM, "My arm feels like it's about to burst open," then smiling and asking about a spot on her arm. She continued talking and breathing, moaning, and snoring.

Execution Progression and Curtain Status

• First curtain closure • 7:46 AM

  • SPEAKER_02 states the curtains closed for the first time at 7:46 AM, and Pike was clearly still alive and snoring.

• Second curtain opening • 7:49 AM

  • SPEAKER_02 notes the curtains reopened three minutes later, at 7:49 AM, with Pike snoring loudly.

• Second curtain closure • 8:05 AM

  • SPEAKER_02 reports the curtains closed again at 8:05 AM and remained closed. Witnesses repeatedly asked to open the curtains because they could still hear snoring.

• Escorted out • 8:53 AM

  • SPEAKER_02 states they were escorted out at 8:53 AM.

• Audio during closed curtains • 8:05 AM to 8:53 AM

  • SPEAKER_02 describes hearing snoring that became "squeaky" and uncertain if it was Pike or a machine. The microphone was on, and after 8:05 AM, the snoring was consistent, developing into a squeak and then snoring again, audible even at 8:53 AM when the microphone was cut off.

Detailed Timeline of Sounds and Actions

• Entering witness chamber and pre-curtain sounds • 6:41 AM onwards

  • SPEAKER_03 (Will Puckett, WVLT) describes hearing multiple "metal on metal" sounds, a groan, a cry, and paper rustling before the microphone was turned on. He also heard velcro fastening, likely for strapping Pike down.

• Anticipation of the process • Around 7:15 AM

  • SPEAKER_03 notes the process was taking abnormally long by 7:15 AM.

• Clanging and mic check • 7:15 AM onwards, 7:26 AM

  • SPEAKER_03 heard clanging of metal and rolling of a pan. The mic was checked at 7:26 AM.

• Curtain opens, Pike's appearance and statement • 7:27 AM

  • SPEAKER_03 reports the curtain opened at 7:27 AM. Krista Pike was lying down, visible from her right arm. She made her statement, and she and her spiritual advisor began to sing.

• Pike's physical state and dialogue • 7:34 AM - 7:37 AM

  • SPEAKER_03 details Pike looking at the warden, reciting the song, and looking at the media window. She then stated, "The vein in my arm feels like it's about to bust." She blinked, smiled, laughed, and said, "One spot is really throbbing." She and her advisor exchanged words, and she said, "Tell blank. I love him."

• Breathing and movement • 7:37 AM - 7:39 AM

  • SPEAKER_03 observes Pike talking less but taking four significant breaths. At approximately 7:39 AM, she lifted her head and looked at her left arm, which also had an IV. She was kicking her feet, causing the sheet to fall off.

• Movement and physical signs • 7:41:30 AM - 7:45 AM

  • SPEAKER_03 notes movement of the belt across her chest at 7:41:30 AM, the time the "rock" was placed for the first time. Pike's jaws were moving at 7:43:28 AM, she took a deep breath at 7:44 AM, and a large yawn at 7:45 AM.

• First curtain drop and advisor's re-entry • 7:46 AM, 7:49 AM

  • The curtain dropped for the first time at 7:46 AM, and her spiritual advisor was taken out. The curtain reopened at 7:49 AM, and the advisor was put back in.

• Snoring and alarm sounds • 7:49 AM - 7:54 AM

  • SPEAKER_03 reports snoring started at 7:49 AM. Pike's lip quivered, and she sounded like she was choking. At 7:51 AM, snoring resumed. An alarm, likely a battery warning for communication devices, was heard. At 7:54 AM, she let out a loud grunt and lifted her head.

• Breathing changes and second rock placement • 8:00 AM - 8:01:06 AM

  • Breathing became more faint at 8:00 AM, followed by a heavy sigh. At 8:01:06 AM, the "rock" was placed for the second time, and she was still audibly breathing and snoring.

• Intensified snoring and final curtain drop • 8:02 AM - 8:05 AM

  • Louder snoring started at 8:02 AM, stopped briefly at 8:03 AM, and then returned with noticeable head and neck flexes. At 8:05 AM, her body flexed as she gasped for air, and the curtain was abruptly drawn for the second time.

• Post-curtain sounds and departure • 8:05 AM - 8:53 AM

  • SPEAKER_03 describes hearing consistent snoring, doors opening and closing, and lawyers and the spiritual advisor entering and exiting. At 8:53 AM, the mic was cut off, and witnesses were asked to exit.

Final Statement and Witness Observations

• Krista Pike's final statement recap • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_08 (Kim Chandler, Associated Press) reiterates Pike's final words about leaving the world in love, being at peace, and ready to be free, calling it a "happy day."

• Pike's apparent awareness • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_08 states Pike appeared "notably awake" as the execution began, with loud exhales and looking around the room. She asked if it was supposed to feel that way.

• Curtain status and snoring • 7:46 PM, 7:49 PM, 7:50 PM, 8:01 PM, 8:06 PM

  • SPEAKER_08 notes the blinds closed at 7:46 PM, opened at 7:49 PM, and the rock was placed at 7:50 PM. Pike's mouth fell open, she snored loudly, gasped, and snored again. The rock came out at 8:01 PM, and she was still snoring. The curtain closed for the final time around 8:06 PM, and she could be heard snoring clearly until 8:53 PM.

Emphasizing Lack of Visibility and Protocol Issues

• Duration of Pike's activity • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_06 (Stephen Hale, Nashville banner) emphasizes how long Krista Pike was speaking, singing, and moving, noting the curtain opened at 7:27 AM and snoring didn't begin until after 7:45 AM.

• Post-curtain status • 7:45 AM onwards

  • SPEAKER_06 states the curtain closed at 7:45 AM while Pike was clearly alive and snoring loudly, with her mouth gaping open at times.

• Lifting head off gurney • 7:54 AM

  • SPEAKER_06 reports Pike lifted her head off the gurney at 7:54 AM with her mouth open, gasping.

• Behind closed curtains • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_06 stresses that much of what happened occurred behind a closed curtain while Pike was still alive, and they could hear her breathing but not see.

• Questions to prison staff • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_06 mentions asking prison staff why the curtain remained closed and if it could be opened, but the staff didn't seem to have more information.

• Unprecedented nature of the event • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_07 (Catherine Sweeney) discusses the protocol, noting that it doesn't cover what happens if a second dose of pentobarbital is needed and the person is still alive. She calls the situation "unprecedented" and that it was not planned for, making it difficult for both the prison system and the media.

Technical Details and Comparison to Past Executions

• Syringe count • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_05 asks about the number of syringes, and SPEAKER_07 states the protocol calls for two in Series A and two more in Series B.

• "Rock" placement • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_07 confirms the "rock" came out twice.

• Comparison to Tony Carruthers execution • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_05 and SPEAKER_02 discuss similarities and differences with the Tony Carruthers execution, particularly regarding line access. SPEAKER_02 clarifies they couldn't see the IV placement due to closed curtains. SPEAKER_06 adds that in the Carruthers execution, the curtain never opened, unlike tonight.

• Duration of audible sounds • 8:05 AM to 8:53 AM

  • SPEAKER_06 estimates they were in the room for over an hour, and for approximately 50 minutes (or a little less) after the final curtain closure, they could hear loud, rhythmic snoring and breathing.

Final Observations on Pike's Condition

• Breathing not indicative of distress • Unknown
  • SPEAKER_01 (John North) states that toward the end, Pike did not appear to be in distress, though her breathing was labored and wheezy, with snoring. He expected breathing to become longer with greater intervals, which didn't happen.

Post-Conference Information and Departure

• No timing from the Department of Correction • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_03 (Will Puckett) notes they received no timing information from the Department of Correction.

• Departure instructions • Unknown

  • SPEAKER_05 informs attendees they have one hour from that point (until 10:45 AM) before they need to pay off.

• Final remarks • Unknown

  • The conference concludes with participants thanking each other.