Appeals Court Halts Christa Pike's Execution
A federal appeals court stopped Christa Pike's execution in Tennessee. This happened Wednesday morning less than two hours before it was due.
The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to pause it. The court wants time to review Pike's claim about her sentencing.
Pike says her severe sexual abuse history was ignored during sentencing. The stay does not cancel her conviction or death sentence.
Tennessee's attorney general has asked the Supreme Court to lift the stay. Pike was convicted in 1995 of torturing and killing a classmate.
Her classmate was Colleen Slemmer. Other people were convicted too but only Pike got a death sentence.
Supporters say Tennessee should consider her age. She was 18 at the time of the murder.
They also cite her mental illness and severe sexual abuse history. Tennessee's governor and supreme court had already refused clemency. The execution would have been Tennessee's first female execution in 200 years.
Key Terms 4
- Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals A federal court that covers several U.S. states including Tennessee.
- stay A court order that delays an action like an execution.
- clemency Mercy from a leader that can reduce or cancel punishment.
- attorney general The top law officer for a state or country.