Tennessee's Rare Female Execution: What's Next for Christa Pike?

Christa Pike, the sole woman on Tennessee's death row, is facing execution in 2026. This would mark the first time in over a century that Tennessee executes a woman. The state's Supreme Court has set the date for September 30, 2026, at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. Pike was convicted in 1996 for the brutal murder of Colleen Slemmer, a crime committed when Pike was just 18. The case involved torture and a pentagram carved into the victim's chest. Pike's co-conspirators, Tadaryl Shipp and Shadolla Peterson, received lesser sentences. Shipp is up for parole soon, while Peterson testified against Pike and received probation. Pike's legal team has argued that her mental health issues, including PTSD and bipolar disorder, were not adequately considered during her trial. They also point out that societal views on the death penalty have evolved, especially regarding young offenders with mental health struggles. The U. S. has executed very few women since 1976, with the most recent being Amber McLaughlin in Missouri in 2023. Nationwide, only 48 women are currently on death row. Studies suggest that many of these women experienced gender-based violence and faced bias in their trials. Pike's attorneys have filed petitions for clemency, arguing that her sentence would likely be different today. They highlight her traumatic childhood and mental health issues as key factors. The Death Penalty Information Center notes that juries are now less likely to sentence young offenders to death, especially those with mental health issues.