A case that once captured headlines across Tennessee is again drawing national attention. More than 30 years after a 1995 killing in Knoxville, Christa Gail Pike remains the only woman on the state’s death row. Following a recent decision by the Tennessee Supreme Court allowing the state to move forward, discussions have resurfaced about the case and the broader role of capital punishment in the United States.
Court records show that Pike was 18 at the time of the crime and enrolled in a Job Corps training program near Knoxville. Prosecutors stated that tensions developed between Pike and fellow student Colleen Slemmer, allegedly connected to personal disputes involving Pike’s boyfriend. Authorities concluded that Pike and two others arranged to meet Slemmer in a secluded area, where the confrontation turned violent. The crime shocked the local community and received extensive media coverage throughout the state.
In 1996, Pike was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. One co-defendant received a life sentence, while another was given a reduced sentence after cooperating with investigators. Like many capital cases, the legal process has involved multiple appeals over the decades. During her incarceration, Pike was also involved in a separate prison incident that resulted in additional sentencing, adding complexity to the case’s long history.
An execution date is currently set for September 30, 2026, though further legal challenges remain active. Defense attorneys have argued that Pike’s history of abuse, traumatic upbringing, and mental health concerns should be considered, noting her expressions of remorse. If carried out, the execution would mark the first execution of a woman in Tennessee in nearly 200 years — underscoring the rarity of such cases. As the scheduled date approaches, the case continues to prompt conversation about justice, accountability, and how the legal system addresses serious crimes committed at a young age.