Federal appeals court temporarily stays Christa Pike’s execution
By Eric Pointer
Click here for updates on this story
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A federal appeals court temporarily stayed Christa Pike’s execution while it considers her latest challenge to her death sentence, according to court filings.
According to court documents, Pike argues the state recently reversed its position that she fabricated allegations of sexual abuse.
Pike argues that the State’s concession of her history of child sexual abuse and rape “erodes the foundation” of her state court proceedings.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit ordered Pike’s execution stayed until further notice of the court.
Tennessee is scheduled to execute Christa Pike by lethal injection on Wednesday morning at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution, marking the first time the state has put a woman to death in more than 200 years.
The execution is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Sept. 30.
Pike has spent more than three decades on death row following her conviction for the 1995 torture and murder of Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville. Pike was 18 years old at the time of the crime.
Investigators said Pike bragged about the murder, showing off a piece of Slemmer’s skull to other students.
This case also marks the first time Tennessee will execute someone for a crime committed at age 18 since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976.
Gov. Bill Lee reviewed Pike’s request for clemency and decided not to intervene.
Death penalty advocacy groups held a virtual vigil Tuesday night to pray for Pike, Slemmer’s family, and those who will carry out the execution.
Witnesses are expected to gather at Riverbend Prison a few hours before the execution.
This story was reported by Eric Pointer and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. by Eric Pointer and WTVF’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.