Tennessee Prepares for Rare Execution of Woman on Death Row

In Nashville, Tennessee, protesters gathered at the State Capitol on September 27, 2026, in opposition to the scheduled execution of Christa Pike. She is the first woman set to be executed in Tennessee in 200 years. Pike, now 50, was convicted along with her boyfriend for the brutal murder of their classmate Colleen Slemmer in 1995.

The case was notorious due to the method of the killing, the young age of those involved, and the satanic symbol carved into the victim’s body. Pike, who was 18 at the time, was convicted of killing Slemmer in a fit of jealousy. Prosecutors detailed how Pike lured Slemmer to a secluded area in Knoxville, where Pike and her boyfriend conducted the gruesome murder.

The Call for Clemency

Pike’s legal team argues against the death sentence, highlighting her untreated mental health issues and her traumatic past. Her attorneys noted that Pike was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. They argue the court did not consider these factors during the penalty phase of her trial. Pike admitted guilt but emphasized her inability to control her actions due to her young age and mental health struggles.

“I was a mentally ill 18-year-old kid. It took me numerous years to even realize the gravity of what I’d done,” Pike stated in her clemency petition.

Pike’s defense points to advances in understanding adolescent brain development as evidence that her sentence is unusually harsh. Her former boyfriend received life with a possibility of parole due to his age at the time of the crime, raising questions about the fairness of Pike’s death sentence.

Victim’s Family Advocates for Execution

Colleen Slemmer’s mother, May Martinez, strongly supports the execution, citing the pain inflicted on her daughter. She remembers Slemmer as a vibrant young woman who wanted a career in computers and was active in the Special Olympics. Martinez reveals the deep emotional impact of losing her daughter, noting that holidays and birthdays are especially difficult.

The nature of Slemmer’s murder stirred fears of Satanic rituals, with Pike’s boyfriend admitting to carving a pentagram on the victim’s body. This element added to the public’s horror and shock over the crime during an era when concerns about Satanism were prevalent.

Rarity of Executing Female Inmates

Should Pike’s execution proceed, she will be among the few women executed in the U.S. since 1976. Data shows only 18 women have faced execution, comprising about 1% of all executed inmates. The rarity extends nationwide, with other notable cases only occurring sporadically.