Christa Pike Survives Botched Execution, Tennessee Leaders Weigh In On the Future of the Death Penalty
Tennessee Today
(Source: TN Department of Corrections)
Wednesday night, the state of Tennessee attempted to carry out Christa Pike’s death sentence, but the two doses of the lethal injection drug pentobarbital received by Pike failed to lead to her death. Pike has been transported to a Nashville area hospital, but her condition is unknown.
Christa Pike received a death sentence in 1996 for her role in the torture and brutal murder of her classmate, Colleen Slemmer. Pike, along with two accomplices, beat and slashed Slemmer, eventually killing her by hitting her in the head with a chunk of asphalt. The case received national attention due to a pentagram the group carved in Slemmer’s chest and because Pike kept a piece of Slemmer’s skull as a “souvenir” following the slaying.
Pike was 19 at the time of the crime. She was on death row for 30 years prior to the botched execution this week.
On the failed execution, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee stated, “Carrying out a lawfully imposed sentence is among the State’s most serious responsibilities, and the people of Tennessee expect it to be done in a manner that is not only legal and constitutional, but is effective.”
Gov. Lee ordered an independent review of the botched execution and said that the state will not proceed with any executions for the rest of the year, essentially punting Tennessee’s death penalty problem to the next governor.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Marsha Blackburn stated on X, “While there should be a thorough review of what happened and why the process failed, the answer is simple: bring back the electric chair and deliver justice for these victims swiftly. As your governor, I will do just that.”
(X/@VoteMarsha)
On X, Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jerri Green said, “The fact of the matter is: the death penalty has always been inhumane, expensive, and biased,” pledging, “As Governor, I would put a moratorium on all future executions.”
In response to Green’s statement, TN House Speaker Cameron Sexton posted on X, “We don’t need a governor who gives criminals a free pass with a wink and a nod, we need a governor like @VoteMarsha who will hold criminals accountable, who is strong, not weak and will use the death penalty when it is imposed by the judicial system.”
(X/@CSexton25)
Pike’s botched execution renews questions about Tennessee’s execution protocol. While state leaders agree that the execution must be reviewed, they offer differing views on how or if Tennessee should continue to utilize the death penalty.