Tennessee governor suspects Christa Pike’s sentence will stay the same after failed execution

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

Lee’s comments on Pike

Lee was asked Wednesday whether the state will try to execute Pike again or if 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, Pike survived two doses of the lethal injection drug. The execution attempt failed.

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 attempt.

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