From Slate Magazine · Austin Sarat · · 2m
Christa Pike's Botched Execution
Tennessee's Supreme Court majority skipped safeguards for Christa Pike's execution after her death row case was reversed.
In brief
Tennessee's Supreme Court majority skipped safeguards for Christa Pike's execution after her death row case was reversed. Tennessee's Supreme Court majority allowed Christa Pike's execution to proceed after a last-minute stay was overturned, despite her history of child sexual abuse. Originally reported by Slate…
Christa Pike's Execution
Tennessee tried to execute Christa Pike on Wednesday, but her execution was botched after two doses of pentobarbital failed to kill her.
“She is the first person ever to survive after being given lethal injection drugs.”
Pike's History of Abuse
Pike suffered years of child sexual abuse and neglect before murdering 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer at a Job Corps center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“The State does not dispute the terrible things that Ms. Pike suffered.”
Supreme Court Refused Habeas Claim
The United States Supreme Court refused to hear Pike's claim that the mental suffering from Tennessee's lethal injection protocol is cognizable under the Eighth Amendment.
“The United States Supreme Court refused to hear her claim that 'the mental suffering and psychological terror she will experience under Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol is cognizable under the Eighth Amendment.'”
Sixth Circuit Grants Stay
The Sixth Circuit Court granted a stay of execution to consider whether Pike's desire to contest an earlier denial of habeas corpus was barred by the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act.
“The interests of justice and the finality of Pike’s impending execution compel the entry of a short stay of execution in order to properly analyze the parties’ fully briefed arguments and resolve the issues on the merits.”
State Reverses Abuse Claims
Tennessee admitted Pike suffered child sexual abuse and rape but refused to reconsider her case in light of that fact.
“The State does not dispute the terrible things that Ms. Pike suffered.”
Supreme Court Lifts Stay
The Supreme Court lifted the stay less than two hours before Pike was scheduled to die, allowing her execution to proceed.
“The Supreme Court lifted the stay and gave the green light for Pike’s execution to proceed.”
Sotomayor's Dissent
Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote that Tennessee’s desire to expedite Pike’s execution cannot outweigh her 'fundamental interest in (her) own life.'
“Tennessee’s desire to expedite Pike’s execution by a few days or even weeks, cannot outweigh her 'fundamental interest in (her) own life.'”
Governor Lee's Clemency
Governor Bill Lee denied Pike's clemency bid despite her acceptance of responsibility and deep remorse.
“After deliberate consideration of Christa Gail Pike’s request for clemency, and after a thorough review of the case, I am upholding the sentence of the State of Tennessee and do not plan to intervene.”
State's Appeal
Tennessee accused Pike of filing a second and successive habeas petition in disguise to frustrate the state's interest in finality and victims' closure.
“She was engaged in 'gamesmanship ... familiar in capital litigation ... designed to frustrate ... the State’s strong interest in finality and the surviving victims’ right to closure.'”
MAGA Majority's Speed
The Supreme Court's MAGA majority prioritized speed over ensuring justice for Pike, allowing her execution to proceed.
“The Supreme Court majority’s notorious impatience and desire to ease the path to the execution chamber.”
Pike's Case Contrasts
Pike's story contrasts with the common narrative that death row inmates are beyond redemption, but Governor Lee and the Supreme Court remained unmoved.
“Her story, to borrow from the Death Penalty Information Center, 'stand(s) in stark contrast to the common narrative that people sentenced to death are beyond redemption.'”
Consequence
Tennessee paused all executions to investigate the botched execution, but Governor Lee's history suggests the death machine will resume quickly.
“Lee has now paused all executions while the state tries to figure out what went wrong. But given his history, it wouldn’t be surprising if Tennessee’s machine of death is back up and running in no time.”
In short
Tennessee's Supreme Court majority allowed Christa Pike's execution to proceed after a last-minute stay was overturned, despite her history of child sexual abuse.
