A U.S. court ordered a stay of execution for Christa Pike, convicted of torture and murder, only one hour before her scheduled execution, stating that more time was needed to thoroughly review the legal challenges.
On Wednesday, 30 Sep 2026 GMT+7, the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of execution for 50-year-old female inmate Christa Pike in Tennessee, just one hour before her scheduled execution that day. The court said additional time was required to consider the legal arguments, though the duration of the stay remains unclear.
Pike was sentenced to death in 1996 for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. Pike was only 18 at the time. The crime was driven by jealousy, with Pike and her boyfriend torturing and brutally attacking the victim, including carving a pentagram on her chest.
Pike's legal team pointed out that previously the Tennessee prosecutor had claimed she lied about childhood sexual abuse. However, in recent hearings, the state prosecutor did not dispute that she had been raped and abused. Her lawyers requested a review, arguing the original verdict may have been based on inaccurate information.
Additionally, her lawyers challenged Tennessee's method of execution by lethal injection, arguing it could cause unnecessary suffering, which they say violates the Constitution.
Tennessee’s Attorney General confirmed plans to petition the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the stay of execution, viewing it as a last-minute legal tactic by the defense.
Pike remains in custody awaiting a final decision on her fate.
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Source:bbc