Lone woman death row inmate Christa Pike says she’s ‘at peace’ ahead of execution — as Tennessee gov. denies last-ditch bid for clemency

nypost.com ^ | Sep. 29, 2026 | By Zoe Hussain

[V_TWIN]

The first woman sentenced to death in Tennessee in 200 years said she is “at peace” before her rare execution — as the state’s governor declined to get involved in her last-ditch bid for clemency.

“Whether my clemency is granted or not, I am at peace,” convicted murderer Christa Pike wrote in a letter to NBC News before learning that Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee would not grant the condemned killer clemency.

“I am not afraid to die,” the killer wrote to the outlet. “I’m only nervous about the process.”

Pike, 50, is slated to be executed on Wednesday by lethal injection, the first time the state will put a woman to death in more than two centuries.

She was just 18 when she lured fellow Job Corps student Colleen Slemmer, 19, to an isolated spot on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville and tortured her to death in a jealous rage with the help of her boyfriend on Jan. 12, 1995.

[Kudsman]

Fascinating. Will CNN televise the Dumocrats that have to be protesting this? Please?

[drwoof]

Regarding the attorney’s comment that “an 18 year old brain is not an adult brain” is correct, and a very good reason for not letting 18 year old people vote. Yet we do, thanks to the democrats (who now want to allow 16 year olds to vote... for them.)

[ronniesgal]

I was gonna ask- how long is this gonna drag out?
DP takes too damn long.

[drwoof]

The account of her murder is horrifying. The murderess should have been executed decades ago, publicly, along with her ‘boyfriend’/accomplice.

[butlerweave]

Then there is None ,LOL

[V_TWIN]

Theres always anti death penalty groups at these executions.

Been doing it forever here in Florida.

They actually protested ted bundy’s execution. SMH

[Hattie]

We should end murderers life the same way they ended their victims life.

[V_TWIN]

Average time on death row nationally is 30+ years.

Side note: California has the death penalty and refuses to carry them out thanks to greasy gavin.

Last I checked there were over 700 death row inmates there.

Here in Florida there are somewhere around 300 IIRC.

Just like in many other things, Florida is leading the way.

[ronniesgal]

30+ years is too damn long!! Give them 2 weeks to appeal, then bye

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Why New York Post? Why???? Who the F cares if Christa Pike is at peace? I wish she was in mental torture. This article is trying to create sympathy for a monster. Everyone remember what Christa Pike did to her victim, who most definitely was NOT at peace before she died -

According to court testimony, for the next thirty minutes, Slemmer was taunted, beaten, and slashed. Shipp used a box cutter to carve a pentagram into her chest while she was still alive. Finally, Pike smashed Slemmer's skull with a large chunk of asphalt, killing her. Pike kept a piece of Slemmer's skull.

[V_TWIN]

In Texas it’s around 12 years.

I like how it’s done in Japan.

Inmate gets notified of their execution date until the morning it takes place, often just one to two hours beforehand.

Time on death row there is 6-8 years.

[SmokingJoe]

If she’s not afraid to die why did she ask for clemency?
Hey can we watch the execution?

[awelliott]

Yup, Nashville is central. If it were in Chattanooga, it would be eastern, so don’t be too hard on yourself. ;)

[V_TWIN]

If it’s of any consolation, I don’t think she’s at peace at all.

As late as last week she was demanding an all female execution team....that doesn’t sound like someone at peace to me, it sounds like someone trying to avoid the inevitable.

As far as this article is concerned, I suspect someone at the NYP is anti death penalty and is trying to take satisfaction away from those looking for closure to this terrible act.

[V_TWIN]

Thanks, the time thing was just Red Badger picking on me. 😁

[Bubba_Leroy]

FTA: The victim’s mother, May Martinez, has said she wants Pike’s execution to move forward.
“Every time I think about it, I think about Colleen feeling that pain and trying to get up and run,” Martinez told the Associated Press.
“Not a day goes by, or a minute goes by that I do not think about Colleen. Holidays are the worst. Colleen’s birthday was last week. She would have been 51,” Martinez said.

IMHO that should be the last word on whether to grant her clemancy.

[alexander_busek]

Inmate gets doesn't get notified of their execution date until the morning it takes place, often just one to two hours beforehand.

Regards,

[Tennessee Nana]

Write books, be interviewed by a CNN celebrity, eat 3 meals a day get free housing and medical etc for those 30 years

She’s lived better than most people

[Cowgirl of Justice]

Brings to mind the boyfriend and girlfriend in Texas who lured an innocent teen to a field and murdered her for no reason. They were only caught because the girl bragged about it to midshipmen when in the US Naval Academy. Apparently, the guy said he had sex with the victim but that wasn’t true after all.

[V_TWIN]

I don’t necessarily disagree with any of that but if it’s any consolation the food isn’t exactly 5 star cuisine.

Having spent 5 years in my church’s prison ministry i had the opportunity to see the food once or twice.

Not very appetizing to say the least.

However, here victim never had a chance to enjoy even that.