Emergency help was delayed by confusion after failed execution of Christa Pike, 911 calls reveal

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Emergency support for Christa Pike was delayed by confusion among first responders and Tennessee prison office-holders after her failed execution last month, according to 911 dispatch recordings.

Key points

• "Per supervisors here at the DEC (Department of Emergency Communications) we have been informed it is a false call, " a dispatcher notes at 9: 03 p.m.
• The initial 911 call came in at 8: 40 p.m.
• Neither the Tennessee Department of Correction nor Pike's legal team immediately responded to requests for comment.

For context, the recordings, obtained Monday by The Associated Press through a public records request, show that precious minutes elapsed as authorities and responders tried to figure out whether a request for emergency assist in the execution chamber was legitimate.

Meanwhile, the initial 911 call came in at 8: 40 p.m. On Sept. 30, just over an hour after the attempted lethal injection obtained underway. But the caller was unable to provide a code that would support verify the legitimacy of the request.

"Per supervisors here at the DEC (Department of Emergency Communications) we have been informed it is a false call, " a dispatcher notes at 9: 03 p.m. "There is no medical assistance needed at Riverbend Prison."

It wasn't until regarding half an hour after the initial call – close to 9: 11 p.m. – that prison office-holders affirmed it was real and began letting responders through the gates.

Taken together, the developments around emergency help was delayed by confusion after failed execution of Christa Pike, point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.