Mother of victim Krista Pike witnessed the botched execution
2 october 2026 в 09:50
Several witnesses, including the mother of the victim, Collin Slemmers, observed the botched execution attempt of death row inmate Krista Pike, who could not be killed as a result of two injections. This shocking event took place on September 30 at the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville, leaving the Slemmers family in shock.
Mai Martinez, Collin’s mother, told People that she and her husband Raul drove 11 hours from Florida to Tennessee to witness the execution. She noted that she closely watched Pike, wanting her to remember what she had done to her daughter. After both injections failed to kill Pike, Martinez and her husband were moved to another room, where they waited for over an hour to speak with the commissioner, who, according to Mai, did not provide them with much information.
Martinez recalled being told that Pike was «taken to the hospital», - but the commissioner did not know whether she was alive or dead. The couple admitted they did not understand what went wrong. Raul expressed confusion: «It's a complete waste of time. How can you fail to execute someone? It’s unprecedented». He also noted that Tennessee uses only one drug for lethal injection, unlike other states that use three.
Mai Martinez also expressed the opinion that her daughter’s killer should be executed, emphasizing that Pike has shown no remorse in 31 years. She added that Pike has never apologized for killing Slemmers in 1995. After the botched execution, Martinez admitted that she finds it hard to come to terms with the situation and doubts she will ever find closure. «We can’t get justice for my daughter», - she said.
After the failed injections, Pike was taken to the nearest hospital. On October 1, the inmate’s attorney reported that «Krista is in critical condition, but not in a coma, as far as I understand». He added that she is still unconscious and unable to communicate.
The incident led Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to suspend executions until a third party conducts an investigation into what happened. In his statement, he noted that carrying out legally mandated punishment is one of the state’s most serious responsibilities, and the residents of Tennessee expect it to be done in a lawful and effective manner.
Mai Martinez, Collin’s mother, told People that she and her husband Raul drove 11 hours from Florida to Tennessee to witness the execution. She noted that she closely watched Pike, wanting her to remember what she had done to her daughter. After both injections failed to kill Pike, Martinez and her husband were moved to another room, where they waited for over an hour to speak with the commissioner, who, according to Mai, did not provide them with much information.
Martinez recalled being told that Pike was «taken to the hospital», - but the commissioner did not know whether she was alive or dead. The couple admitted they did not understand what went wrong. Raul expressed confusion: «It's a complete waste of time. How can you fail to execute someone? It’s unprecedented». He also noted that Tennessee uses only one drug for lethal injection, unlike other states that use three.
Mai Martinez also expressed the opinion that her daughter’s killer should be executed, emphasizing that Pike has shown no remorse in 31 years. She added that Pike has never apologized for killing Slemmers in 1995. After the botched execution, Martinez admitted that she finds it hard to come to terms with the situation and doubts she will ever find closure. «We can’t get justice for my daughter», - she said.
After the failed injections, Pike was taken to the nearest hospital. On October 1, the inmate’s attorney reported that «Krista is in critical condition, but not in a coma, as far as I understand». He added that she is still unconscious and unable to communicate.
The incident led Tennessee Governor Bill Lee to suspend executions until a third party conducts an investigation into what happened. In his statement, he noted that carrying out legally mandated punishment is one of the state’s most serious responsibilities, and the residents of Tennessee expect it to be done in a lawful and effective manner.
© Artemenko Olga
