Tennessee Seeks to Restrict Access to Pike Execution Drug

Tennessee has asked a judge to restrict Christa Pike’s lawyers from inspecting, collecting or testing leftover pentobarbital from her failed execution, saying access to vial labels could identify the state’s supplier. The request, filed Friday in Davidson County Chancery Court, seeks to change an evidence-preservation order issued by Judge IAshea Myles. The judge had not ruled on the request in reports published November 9 and 10.

A Tennessee Department of Correction employee responsible for procuring the drug said in a court declaration that the supplier fears threats, harassment and boycotts because it provides execution drugs. The employee said the supplier would stop supplying Tennessee if identified and that the state would be unlikely to find another provider. Those risks are the employee’s account; the supplier has not been publicly identified or directly quoted in the filings described in the reports.

Myles’ October 10 order required the state to preserve physical evidence from the attempted execution, including needles, vials and any remaining pentobarbital. Tennessee’s motion asks her to rescind the portion allowing Pike’s legal team to inspect, collect and test...