Tennessee clears execution of Christa Pike, first woman in 200 years
The US Supreme Court has cleared Tennessee's execution of Christa Pike for a murder committed in 1995 when she was 18.
The US Supreme Court has cleared the way for Tennessee to execute Christa Pike by lethal injection, marking the state's first execution of a woman in more than 200 years. Pike, 50, was convicted of killing a classmate, Colleen Slemmer, in January 1995 when Pike was 18.
Pike and two others lured Slemmer into a wooded area where they tortured and killed her. Pike views Slemmer as a rival for her boyfriend's affection, court records show.
Pike would also be the only person in the modern era of US capital punishment to be executed in Tennessee for a crime committed as a teenager. The Supreme Court voted 6-3 to overturn a temporary stay granted by a lower court one hour before her scheduled execution.
Governor Bill Lee denied Pike's clemency petition on Monday. The state indicated it intended to proceed with the execution.
- January 1995, Pike was 18
- Crime year and age
- Colleen Slemmer, age 19, classmate
- Victim
- 6-3 to overturn the stay
- Supreme Court vote
Why it mattersThis execution raises questions about whether teenagers should face capital punishment, even three decades after their crime, and whether childhood trauma should factor in sentencing.
AustraliaNo direct Australian impact, but this US execution of a woman for a teenage crime sparks broader international debate about death penalties and youth culpability.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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