US state set to execute first wom
Tennessee is preparing to execute Christa Gail Pike on September 30, 2026, making her the only woman on the state’s death row.
The case has drawn national attention because the 1995 killing of Colleen Slemmer
was described by prosecutors as involving “satanic symbols” and a “giddy” teenage defendant.
These elements shaped Pike’s public image as a remorseless youth.
Her attorneys, however, argue that Pike’s life cannot be understood without acknowledging her
“shattered childhood,” years of abuse, and untreated mental illness.
They note diagnoses of bipolar disorder and PTSD and say she has changed significantly after nearly 30 years in prison,
showing remorse and insight into the harm she caused.
As the execution nears, her case highlights debates about trauma,
accountability, and whether people who commit violent acts as teenagers should face the death penalty.
Tennessee’s decision now raises the question of whether justice is being served or, as her lawyers argue, “simply repeated.”
