Execution of lone woman on Tennessee's death row paused by federal appeals court
Summary
A federal appeals court paused the planned execution of Christa Pike, the only woman on Tennessee's death row, to review claims about her childhood abuse that may affect her sentencing. Tennessee officials have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to cancel this pause so the execution can proceed.Key Facts
- Christa Pike, 50, was set to be executed by lethal injection in Tennessee on Wednesday at 10 a.m. CT.
- She was convicted of murdering 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995.
- A three-judge panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a 2-1 decision to delay the execution for further review.
- The court wants to examine if Pike’s claims of childhood sexual abuse were properly considered before her death sentence.
- Tennessee’s Department of Correction filed a request with the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the delay and proceed with the execution.
- Pike argued that her PTSD from past abuse would make the execution cruel and unusual punishment.
- The Tennessee Supreme Court and U.S. Supreme Court initially denied her requests related to these claims.
- Pike's lawyer said the appeals court recognized serious concerns about her execution.
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