Krista Pike’s lawyer urges Tennessee governor to commute her sentence
2 october 2026 в 10:50
One of Krista Pike’s attorneys has urged the governor of Tennessee to immediately commute her death sentence, stating that she is in critical condition following a botched execution attempt. According to attorney Randy Spivey, who works in the Tennessee Office of the Post-Conviction Defender, Pike is receiving vital medical assistance.
Spivey described the botched execution as «cruel», - «torturous», - and «predictable». Pike, who has been on death row since 1996 for the murder of her classmate, Colleen Slemmer, in 1995, experienced two injections of pentobarbital that, she said, made her feel as though her arm was «exploding». A witness, Nashville’s WKRN reporter Tori Hessner, noted that Pike «was clearly still breathing and snoring» at some point after the execution attempt.
The execution attempt was halted on September 30 after a federal appeals court ruling; however, the U.S. Supreme Court later allowed it to proceed. Following the failure, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee suspended all executions in the state and ordered an independent investigation into the incident. Lee stated that «carrying out a legally imposed sentence is one of the most serious responsibilities of the state».
On Thursday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called on Tennessee authorities to abandon further attempts to execute Pike, noting that her case highlights numerous reasons to abolish the death penalty.
Spivey described the botched execution as «cruel», - «torturous», - and «predictable». Pike, who has been on death row since 1996 for the murder of her classmate, Colleen Slemmer, in 1995, experienced two injections of pentobarbital that, she said, made her feel as though her arm was «exploding». A witness, Nashville’s WKRN reporter Tori Hessner, noted that Pike «was clearly still breathing and snoring» at some point after the execution attempt.
The execution attempt was halted on September 30 after a federal appeals court ruling; however, the U.S. Supreme Court later allowed it to proceed. Following the failure, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee suspended all executions in the state and ordered an independent investigation into the incident. Lee stated that «carrying out a legally imposed sentence is one of the most serious responsibilities of the state».
On Thursday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called on Tennessee authorities to abandon further attempts to execute Pike, noting that her case highlights numerous reasons to abolish the death penalty.
© Artemenko Olga
