Tennessee governor says he suspects Christa Pike’s sentence to stay the same after failed execution

What This Story Is About

• Gov. Bill Lee said he suspects Christa Pike’s sentence will remain the same unless the courts determine otherwise, following her failed execution last month.

Why It Matters

• Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer. In September, she survived two doses of the lethal injection drug.

What Happens Next

• Lee has paused executions through the end of the year to determine what went wrong in Pike’s attempted execution.

For Context

• Pike is back in prison after spending days in the hospital. She is now able to speak in full sentences and walk on her own.

Catch Up

• Here’s a timeline of Christa Pike’s recovery from her botched TN execution.
• Attorneys for Christa Pike have revealed the first words she said after regaining consciousness nearly a week after the state attempted to execute her and failed.
• Frank Strada, commissioner of the Department of Correction, will step down this month, Gov. Bill Lee said.
• The commissioner serves at the pleasure of the governor, making it an appointed position. The next head of the department will likely be chosen by the next governor of the state.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Gov. Bill Lee said he suspects Christa Pike’s sentence will remain the same unless the courts determine otherwise, following her failed execution last month.

Lee’s comments on Pike

Lee was asked Wednesday whether the state will try to execute Pike again or whether he will commute her sentence to life in prison.

“As it related to a particular individual like Christa Pike and her crime, she’s still incarcerated under the laws of the State of Tennessee,” Lee said. “I suspect her sentence will be the same as before unless determined otherwise by the courts.”

Pike’s condition

Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer. In September, she survived two doses of the lethal injection drug.

Pike is back in prison after spending days in the hospital. She is now able to speak in full sentences and walk on her own.

Executions paused, commissioner resigns

Lee has paused executions through the end of the year to determine what went wrong in Pike’s attempted execution.

Following Pike’s botched execution, which was the second one this year in Tennessee, Frank Strada resigned from his role of commissioner of the Department of Correction. Lee said Strada will leave by the end of the month, and he expects to announce a replacement within the next few days.