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Emergency motion challenging execution of Christa Gail Pike, only woman on Tennessee’s death row, denied
WVLT ^ | August 21, 2026 | Camruinn Morgan-Rumsey

Posted on 08/22/2026 1:56:23 PM PDT by xxqqzz

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Special Master W. Mark Ward has denied Christa Gail Pike’s emergency motion to reopen a hearing in her challenge to Tennessee’s lethal injection protocol. It’s an update the legal team for the only woman on Tennessee’s death row is calling disappointing.

Pike and her representatives had tried to argue that the physician involved in Tony Carruthers’ botched May execution isn’t fit to play a part in Pike’s, something Ward said isn’t set in stone.

“We are deeply disappointed in the Special Master’s denial of our emergency motion to reopen Christa Pike’s hearing to address the qualifications of the TDOC physician who will participate in any execution of Ms. Pike. The TDOC physician is publicly known to have participated in the botched Tony Carruthers’ execution and Darrell Hines’ execution last week,” Stephen Ferrel of Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee said. “He publicly outed himself as TDOC’s paid execution participant.”

Ward’s ruling said the physician’s intention to participate in the execution doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll actually be a part of the team. The state picks who participates 30 days before the planned execution.

Pike had also argued she’d need a central line for her lethal injection, something Ward said he wasn’t convinced of.

“The Special Master’s finding that the identity of the execution physician is only ‘speculation’ is belied by the physician’s statements to the media. The State continues to hide behind a veil of secrecy, which the physician has torn open, and withheld critical information from the public and the courts,“ Ferel said. ”Christa should not have to wait until she is strapped to the execution gurney to know that the person performing this critical procedure is competent to do so and that her execution will not be torturous.”

(Excerpt) Read more at wvlt.tv ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: christapike; deathpenalty
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She grew up in a trailer park and apparently was sexually abused. She joined the Job Corps, which was a rough environment with gangs and most people carrying knives.

She and her boyfriend killed a girl she thought was trying to steal her boyfriend. The prosecution sought death for her, and life without parole for the boyfriend. She was offered a plea bargain, but probably thought it was unlikely she would really get a death sentence and be executed. The boyfriend's case also went to trial despite, neither having much change of acquittal. The jury decided the boyfriend's sentence as life with parole, but the judge tacked on 45 years for conspiracy.

She was on shows about youngest women on death row, being 18 when she was convicted.

Her adventures continued in jail. She got 25 years for attempted murder of another woman murderer. Then this guy who was visiting her paid a guard to help her escape. The attempted rescuer got 7 years and the guard got fired.

The lawyers are trying last ditch approaches to save her and bill more legal fees, saying she wants a different method of execution,

1 posted on 08/22/2026 1:56:23 PM PDT by xxqqzz
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To: xxqqzz

Dumb question: Why not use fentanyl?


2 posted on 08/22/2026 2:06:42 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is opinion or satire. Or both.)
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To: xxqqzz

This b—— is one of nasty piece of work.

The “Job Corps” center at which she and her satanist boyfriend lived was terminated as a result of the horrific murder of an innocent classmate, over nothing. It’s been razed to the ground.


3 posted on 08/22/2026 2:11:19 PM PDT by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: xxqqzz

She was 18 when she committed the murder, 31 years ago. She’s been on “death row” for 30 years. A convicted murderer on death row is more likely to die of natural causes than be executed.


4 posted on 08/22/2026 2:12:14 PM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets ( Thorough planning and careful preparation is no substitute for wishful thinking. )
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To: xxqqzz

Oh for crying out loud! Just get it over with! She’s had 30 years to repent and make her peace with God. If she’s done that, she’ll go straight to Heaven; if she hasn’t, she’s still got time. It only takes a nanosecond.


5 posted on 08/22/2026 2:32:22 PM PDT by Flaming Conservative ((Pray without ceasing))
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To: xxqqzz

So Big Maude finally got caught.

Aiming his own gun at Barney Fife: “Maybe I should give your hair a new part with this heater.”

Law enforcement radio announcement of being on alert to find her:
Big Maude Tyler
Clarice Tyler
Maude Clarice Tyler
Annabelle Tyler
and Ralph Henderson.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=images+andy+griffith+show+Big+Maude&FORM=HDRSC3


6 posted on 08/22/2026 2:34:02 PM PDT by frank ballenger (There's a battle outside and it's raging. It'll soon shake your windows and rattle your walls. )
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To: xxqqzz

Our criminal justice universally favors softer treatment of beyatches

No question

She deserves death


7 posted on 08/22/2026 2:41:11 PM PDT by wardaddy (If u hate Trump you're stupid Tor clueless and what's going on We're fighting for our civilization s)
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To: xxqqzz

Tony Carruthers’ botched May execution

Botched? the one way that could happen would be if the prisoner lived.


8 posted on 08/22/2026 2:43:27 PM PDT by Gasshog (s'lfkgjsl)
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To: xxqqzz

Is this the little demon who kept a piece of her victim’s skull as a trophy? I can’t recall.


9 posted on 08/22/2026 2:43:50 PM PDT by Deo volente ("Wars begin when you will, but they do not end when you please.” -Niccolò Machiavelli)
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To: xxqqzz

She smashed Colleen Slemmer’s skull with a large chunk of asphalt
and carried a piece of her skull around as a souvenir.


10 posted on 08/22/2026 2:45:24 PM PDT by Repeal The 17th ( I am obsessed with not being obsessed with anything.)
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To: xxqqzz

I’ve been following this a bit.

First they wanted a female on the execution squad.
Then they questioned the drug method.
Then they wanted hanging (hasn’t been used in TN for 80+ years).
Then they didn’t want her held and executed in a men’s prison.
I think they then requested a Buddhist monk to be present. IIRC the prison easily agreed to that one. I guess the lawyers hadn’t done their research.


11 posted on 08/22/2026 2:47:12 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant - Never Fearful)
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To: xxqqzz

I AM PRETTY SURE THAT ARE 6 MARKSMEN IN TENNESSEE WHO WOULD BE HAPPY TO PUT THEIR GUN SIGHTS ON HER.


12 posted on 08/22/2026 2:48:35 PM PDT by ridesthemiles (not giving up on TRUMP---EVER)
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To: BenLurkin

She seems awfully concerned that the needle isn’t going to make it’s mark. I wonder if she has ever had blood drawn or had surgery where she needed to be put under while in prison?


13 posted on 08/22/2026 2:49:20 PM PDT by 21twelve (Ever Vigilant - Never Fearful)
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To: Lonesome in Massachussets

The eternal law is just; everyone receives what they deserve—no more... and no less...


14 posted on 08/22/2026 2:52:33 PM PDT by californian by choice (Who are those who believe in science?)
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To: xxqqzz
Girl was a coal burner, who ended up like most coal burners.

15 posted on 08/22/2026 2:52:59 PM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
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To: wardaddy

not Aileen Wornos. once they realized it was a woman killing men, they snatched her ass up pretty quick.


16 posted on 08/22/2026 2:57:21 PM PDT by ronniesgal (can FR please get a "like" button and a "block" button? Please.)
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To: xxqqzz

This was actually a case of brutal torture and then murder. Pike finished it by smashing her victim’s skull. She saved a piece and then later showed it around the Job Corps Center.

Apparently, Pike can choose between electrocution and lethal injection. She’s chosen the latter, and now her attorneys are appealing on the basis it might not go well.

Fry her.


17 posted on 08/22/2026 2:59:09 PM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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To: xxqqzz

They don’t want the “doctor” to inject her??

Fine.

Have some cholo with a machete whack her head off ...


18 posted on 08/22/2026 2:59:15 PM PDT by NorthMountain (... the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed)
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To: Gasshog

He did. The executioners couldn’t find a good vein for the 2nd IV.


19 posted on 08/22/2026 3:01:03 PM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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To: ridesthemiles

The Norks do it well. Large air defense rounds are pretty effective. A bit messy, though.


20 posted on 08/22/2026 3:04:16 PM PDT by Paul R. (Old Viking saying: "Never be more than 3 steps away from your weapon ... or a Uriah Heep song!" ;-))
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