Tennessee Will Execute Christa Pike in September 2026
The state has scheduled the first execution of a woman since 1819 for September 30, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Tennessee state officials have set the execution of 50-year-old Christa Pike for 10 a.m. on September 30, 2026. Pike, who has been incarcerated for three decades, was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer.
Why it matters
The case carries historic significance as Pike would become the first woman executed in Tennessee since 1819. Her defense team has submitted a 226-page clemency petition to Governor Bill Lee citing childhood trauma and mental health concerns.
Pike remains on death row at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution following her 1996 conviction. Co-defendant Tadaryl Shipp is serving a life sentence, while Shadolla Peterson received probation for her role in the crime.
The players
Christa Pike
She is a 50-year-old death row inmate who has been incarcerated for three decades.
Bill Lee
He is the current Governor of Tennessee who has received a clemency petition from the defense team.
Colleen Slemmer
She was the 19-year-old victim of the 1995 murder that led to Pike's death sentence.
Tadaryl Shipp
He was a 17-year-old co-defendant in the case who received a life sentence.
The details
Pike is scheduled to face a lethal injection of pentobarbital at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution. Her defense team argues for clemency based on evidence of undiagnosed bipolar disorder and physical and sexual abuse suffered during her childhood.
Timeline
January 12, 1995: Colleen Slemmer was murdered.
1996: Christa Pike was sentenced to death for first-degree murder.
August 2026: Defense attorneys challenged the state's execution protocol in court.
September 30, 2026: The execution is scheduled to take place at 10 a.m.
Legal Context
This case marks a departure from the historical absence of female capital punishment in Tennessee since 1819. The legal proceedings highlight ongoing debates regarding the application of the death penalty for women.
The execution process is set to occur at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. The scheduled event has drawn public attention to the state's historical handling of female capital cases and the legal standards for clemency.
The takeaway
The case underscores the rare nature of female capital punishment in the state's modern legal history. Legal observers continue to monitor how the governor responds to the extensive clemency petition filed by the defense.
Further reading
Explore ongoing legal developments in the Criminal Justice section.
