Christa Pike's lawyers have filed a clemency petition seeking to commute her sentence ahead of the scheduled execution date of September 30. Pike, currently on death row in Tennessee, communicated with her friend Ashlee Sellars via text, expressing her desire for her loved ones not to witness her execution. Pike, now 50, was 18 when she and her boyfriend, Tadaryl Shipp, were convicted of the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer, a 19-year-old they met at a job training camp. The case gained significant media attention due to the nature of the crime, which involved a pentagram carved into Slemmer's chest.
Pike was sentenced to death, while Shipp received a life sentence. If executed, Pike would be the first woman put to death in Tennessee in over 200 years. Colleen's mother has expressed a desire for Pike's execution to proceed, stating it would allow her daughter to finally rest.
Pike's legal team has submitted a 226-page clemency petition, arguing that her history of childhood abuse and mental health issues were not adequately presented during her trial. Experts have noted that if Pike were tried today, her circumstances might lead to a different outcome. Forensic psychologist Dr. Diana McCoy reported that Pike suffered severe neglect and abuse throughout her childhood, which was not considered in her original trial.
Despite these claims, Tennessee's Supreme Court previously ruled that Pike had not demonstrated sufficient grounds for commuting her sentence. A federal appeals court also stated that the jury had heard about her difficult childhood during the trial. Unless granted clemency by Governor Bill Lee, Pike's execution is set to take place on September 30. On the day of her execution, she has requested an all-female team to assist her, citing concerns about her trauma.
May Martinez, Colleen's mother, has reiterated her support for Pike's execution, emphasizing the pain caused by her daughter's murder. The Justice Coalition, a victims' rights group, has also voiced support for the execution, stating it reflects the wishes of Colleen's family. Ashlee Sellars, who met Pike while serving a sentence for robbery-murder, advocates for justice reform and emphasizes the importance of recognizing the impact of trauma on individuals.