Death row killer Christa Pike’s final letter shared ahead of her execution
Warning: This article contains discussion of sexual abuse which some readers may find distressing.
The state of Tennessee is preparing to put to death Christa Gail Pike for a 1995 murder she committed at age 18 in what would be the state’s first execution of a woman in at least 200 years.
Pike, who is now 50, is scheduled to be executed on Wednesday morning at 10 am local time (30 September) by lethal injection at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.
Pike and her boyfriend were convicted of stabbing and beating 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, their classmate at a job training facility in Knoxville.
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Pike does not deny committing the killing, but her supporters argued that the state should consider Pike’s age at the time, mental illness and a history of severe sexual abuse that included being raped from the time she was a toddler.
Assistant federal defender Stephen Ferrell said Pike’s death sentence is an outlier because other 18-year-olds sentenced to death in Tennessee have had their sentences vacated.
Ahead of the rare execution, Pike has shared in her final letter that she is 'at peace' but 'nervous' over how the state intends to carry out the 'process'.
The letter, shared by her spiritual advisor Rev. Mikey Noechel to NBC News, begins: "I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone who has supported me through these hard days.
"I've felt more love in the last two weeks than I have my entire life."
Pike continued: "Though there was an absence - when my people showed up for me - they have showed up and showed out! I am humbled beyond words.
"Whether my clemency is granted or not, I am at peace. I am not afraid to die. I'm only nervous about the process.
"I want to thank everyone for their time and attention in exposing my true character above the limited public persona that has been the only narrative."
Pike rounded off: "Also, thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak in my own words!
"I wish you loving kindness. Christa Gail Pike!"
Pike will be executed via lethal injection later today.
A 226-page clemency petition submitted to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee asked for Pike's death sentence to be commuted to life imprisonment without parole.
However, following a ‘thorough review of the case’, the official shared that he would ‘uphold the sentence of the State of Tennessee’ and that he does not ‘plan’ to intervene with the execution.
He claimed the verdict—denying Pike’s last request for clemency—was decided following ‘deliberate consideration’ and a ‘thorough review of the case’.
Rhiannon Ingle