In our most recent reader poll on the Christa Pike case, a majority of respondents disagreed with Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee's decision not to intervene and halt her execution.
Earlier this week, Lee declined
to grant Pike clemency, which would have commuted her death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Those who disagreed with the governor's decision got their wish, at least temporarily. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit stayed Pike's execution by lethal injection at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville.
Later that evening, however, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Pike's execution may proceed.
In a previous Pike reader poll, more than 90% of respondents felt her life should be spared, opting that she receive life imprisonment without parole. This time, we posed a slightly different question, based on Governor Lee opting to let her execution proceed earlier this week.
Poll results reflect a more divided audience
This is the question we posed: Did Gov. Bill Lee make the right decision by allowing Christa Pike’s execution to move forward?
- Yes
- No
- Not sure
Unlike that last poll, the results this time were much closer. Of the 90 respondents, 49, or 54%, voted "No," compared with 39 of the “Yes” respondents, or 43%, who agreed with Lee’s decision. Only two selected "Not sure."
Why some readers backed Lee's decision
As always, Tennessean Opinion polls are unscientific because anyone can participate. As with our previous poll on Pike, we received responses from outside Tennessee. The ones listed below have been edited for clarity.
Those who agreed with Lee’s decision not to intervene again cited the established facts of Pike’s case: At 18 years old, she took part in the brutal beating, torture and killing of Colleen Slemmer in a wooded area of Tyson Park in Knoxville. As this profile notes, the actions of Pike, Tadaryl Shipp and accomplice Shadolla Peterson resulted in the loss of a smart, ambitious young woman who loved computers.
Some “Yes” respondents also mentioned Pike’s attack on another inmate while on death row.
Here’s a sampling of those responses:
“She should have been executed 25-plus years ago.” – Kimberly Coffey-Norris, Maynardville, Tenn.
The brutality and evilness of this crime is why the death penalty exists. – William White, Jacksonville, Ohio
“She still murdered someone. Mental illness is not a free pass.” – Samantha Stevens, Knoxville, Tenn.
“The victim's family deserves peace and justice.” – Anne Davis, Aurora, Colo.
“Let us not forget that while in prison she was also charged with almost killing another person. I have trauma like hers. I would never kill someone, let alone almost two.” – Renee Webster, Gatlinburg, Tenn.
She can kill a person and be sentenced to death and then expect the state to pay for her to live her life out in an 8-by-8 cell with three meals a day and medical insurance while that girl's mother has to go to the graveyard every year to see her child. I do not think so. I believe in an eye for an eye. – Barbara Stutts, Michie, Tenn.
Why others disagreed with the governor’s decision
Pike’s supporters point to the profound sexual abuse and trauma she suffered as a child, along with her mental illness and lack of brain development as an 18-year-old who committed the crime.
They also state that Pike's court-appointed lawyers did not share the extent of her trauma with the jury before her 1996 conviction. On top of that, her legal team has argued that she deserves clemency because the execution procedure would likely trigger psychological suffering tied to the severe rape and abuse she endured as a child and the PTSD that resulted from it.
Here’s what some of the “No” respondents wrote:
“Current science would show she has brain damage from fetal alcohol syndrome and was severely abused as a child. This would show in an MRI that her brain has a weakened prefrontal cortex and shrunken hippocampus.” – Melanie Gagnon, Knoxville, Tenn.
“I disagree because she was 16 or 18 years old when she committed the crime. She had an awful childhood, but I am not excusing her of this crime. She should be granted a life sentence without parole. The death penalty doesn’t solve anything because I think it’s inhumane.” – Gail Allen, Nashville, Tenn.
“I think she already did her time. They should let her go. But I don't know anything about her case, but a lot of people do less time for murder than she has already served. She has done over 30 years.” – James Mullinix, Ooltewah, Tenn.
“As a United Methodist, I believe that human life is sacred and created by God. The church teaches that capital punishment denies Christ's power to redeem, restore and transform all human beings.” – Stacey Killian Hagewood, Franklin, Tenn.
She had inept counsel. Mental illness, raped as a baby, child and teen. Practically raised herself with minimum supervision. Had no mental health intervention, etc. Her background wasn’t brought up at trial. Her attorney very rarely objected. Her trial was a legal farce. She admitted to the crime and her sentence should have been commuted to life in prison. – Raymond Rothamel, Jackson, Tenn.
“Just because someone has done something wrong does not mean we should respond with more wrong. Two wrongs will never make a right. The Bible teaches us to show mercy, forgiveness and compassion, even when it is difficult.
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36.
I’m praying for this woman on death row and for those who have the authority to make the decision about her life. I’m praying that they will consider mercy and that her execution will be called off. Whatever someone has done, we should never forget that every life has value. Justice and mercy can both matter.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.” – Matthew 5:7.
Lord, please soften hearts, bring wisdom to those making this decision, and let mercy have a voice.” – Emily Garcia, Lafayette, Tenn.
Tacuma R. Roeback is The Tennessean’s community engagement and opinion editor. Reach him at troeback@gannett.com or follow him onX,Bluesky orLinkedIn.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Readers narrowly opposed Bill Lee in Christa Pike poll | Opinion
