Tenn. set to execute its first female inmate in 200 years. Advocates call on governor to stop

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) - A group of advocates is calling for Gov. Bill Lee to stop Christa Pike’s execution scheduled for next week.

Pike is the only woman on Tennessee’s death row. She is scheduled to be the first woman executed in Tennessee since 1819.

Pike was convicted of torturing and murdering Colleen Slemmer in 1995.

Several youth advocates held a press conference on Wednesday, calling on the governor to commute Pike’s death sentence. They pointed to what they said was extensive abuse that Pike suffered as a child.

“Clemency offers the opportunity to apply our updated understanding of the child Christa was and the profound consequences of what happened to her,” an advocate said. “Commuting Christa’s sentence would still hold her accountable for the terrible crime she committed, but it would recognize what decades of research has taught us about the lifelong consequences of severe childhood adversity.”

Pike was 18 years old when she was sentenced to death. The group argues that eight people have been sentenced to death in Tennessee at age 18, but Pike is the only one still on death row. The others had their sentences reduced.

Lee has previously said that Pike’s execution will move forward as planned.

Pike is scheduled to be executed on Sep. 30.