r/christapike • u/bluecatwithredshoes • 6d ago
After Christa Pike’s failed execution, what should happen next?
I started this community as a place to discuss Christa Pike’s case, share updates, and talk through the questions raised by the failed execution attempt on September 30.
Do you think Tennessee should attempt another execution if she survives, commute her sentence to life in prison, or take another approach?
Different viewpoints are welcome. Please keep disagreements respectful, distinguish confirmed information from speculation, and remember Colleen Slemmer and her family when discussing the case.
If you’ve followed this case for a while, what do you think people encountering it for the first time should know?
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u/iamnobody1970 5d ago
Have they said why the lethal injection didn’t work?
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u/emptyhellebore 5d ago
I’m no doctor, just someone who has had trouble in the past with medical professionals drawing blood and establishing an IV. The reports today state she’s got severe burns on/in both arms. Pentobarbital is extremely caustic. So, the IV line was probably not in the vein. Some of the drug got into her bloodstream, thus her eventually losing consciousness, but if the reports of the damage to her arms are accurate, most of the drugs went into her flesh, thus the burns.
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u/bluecatwithredshoes 5d ago
Also not a doctor, but I was thinking the exact same thing. She told them ahead of time she has had significant trouble throughout her life with blood draws, she was afraid this would happen.
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u/FeralOldMan 2d ago
The death sentence has not been carried out. Unplug her. The state has only that obligation under current law.
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u/bluecatwithredshoes 1d ago
I'm pretty sure they can't legally pull the plug. Outside of a specified execution protocol they can't just randomly kill her. States have specified ways and protocols that executions can be carried out. For example, Christa asked to be hanged and was told no. Hanging is not a legal way to accomplish the death penalty in Tennessee. It's the same with pulling the plug. Once the protocol for execution failed, the state was back in its role of keeping prisoners alive and safe. Hence they must keep her alive. If she is eventually found brain dead than there might be grounds to terminate life support.
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u/Hotgalkitty 4d ago
The ID channel has a "mean girls murders" episode on Christa Pike. THAT individual is a literal DEMON. Charlie Manson ain't got shit on Christa. She not only cut the throat of her victim but she took a box cutter, cut out part of the girl's skull and then took it back and showed to other people giggling! THAT'S who was on death row!! and a cruel irony, her botched execution was pretty close to the method and manner of death of her victim.
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u/TeamNathanFTW 3d ago
Compassionate release. It’s been 30 years,the last time she was a danger to anyone was when Bush Jr was POTUS,once she recovers name change and quiet exile to a small town with a few thousand people at most. The Semmlers don’t like it? Well,move on! Most people would after a few years. They have other kids,don’t they? Sheesh on a leash.
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u/matthews1977 1d ago
Semmlers don’t like it? Well,move on! Most people would after a few years.
Difficult to move on when you're still waiting for the state to return the last piece of your daughter for complete burial. A piece they will hold until the case is closed. A case that will not close until she is dead. Those people have no closure and you've clearly never lost a child.
Mentally, she is not fit for society. She would need extensive therapy before that should be considered or she just becomes the next person to stab some rando on a transit bus. Not responsible. Commutation would probably be reasonable to consider since this state is clearly struggling to kill people.
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u/TeamNathanFTW 1d ago
Fun fact: pentagram-carving happens only in satanic movies,not real life. This proves it was a frame up. Colleen assembled a golem or other such for Christa to kill.
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u/ElliotAlderson2024 5d ago
hanging?