Tennessee is preparing for a historic event. On September 30, 2026, the state plans to execute Christa Gail Pike. Pike, now 49, would be the first woman executed there since 1820. This marks a gap of more than two centuries.
Currently, Pike is the only woman on Tennessee’s death row. She received the death penalty for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer. Pike was just 18 at the time. Prosecutors say jealousy drove the brutal crime. Pike and two friends lured the 19-year-old victim to a secluded spot in Knoxville before attacking her.
Now, after nearly 30 years in prison, Pike’s lawyers are asking for mercy. They argue she is a different person today. Her team points to severe childhood trauma and untreated mental health issues, such as PTSD. These conditions were not diagnosed until years after her trial.
In a recent statement, her defense described Pike as thoughtful and remorseful. However, the execution remains scheduled. Unless the governor grants clemency, Tennessee will move forward. This rare case has sparked a renewed debate about the death penalty and mental health.