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Protests and emotional reactions as Tennessee botches Christa Pike execution

Oct. 1, 2026Updated Oct. 2, 2026, 4:53 p.m. ET
Emergency vehicles arrive at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Christa Pike was scheduled to be killed by lethal injection on Sept. 30 at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. The procedure was not successful and she received medical care following an execution attempt, according to a court filing. Her attorneys reported she was still breathing after receiving two doses of lethal pentobarbital.
Emergency vehicles arrive at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Christa Pike was scheduled to be killed by lethal injection on Sept. 30 at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution in Nashville. The procedure was not successful and she received medical care following an execution attempt, according to a court filing. Her attorneys reported she was still breathing after receiving two doses of lethal pentobarbital.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Witness Catherine Sweeney with WPLN recounts the planned execution of Christa Pike at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Pike had not been declared dead when the witnesses were asked to leave the room they were witnessing in. Pike's condition was unclear early on Oct. 1, reported the Nashville Tennessean , part of the USA TODAY Network. She was taken to a hospital, according to a court ruling.
Witness Catherine Sweeney with WPLN recounts the planned execution of Christa Pike at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Pike had not been declared dead when the witnesses were asked to leave the room they were witnessing in.
Pike's condition was unclear early on Oct. 1, reported the Nashville Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. She was taken to a hospital, according to a court ruling.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Demonstrators hold a vigil for Christa Pike, who is on death row for killing 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995, in Krutch Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 30, 2026.
Demonstrators hold a vigil for Christa Pike, who is on death row for killing 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995, in Krutch Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 30, 2026.
Angelina Alcantar/ News Sentinel
Kathleen Walter of Fairview, Tenn., prays in the anti-death penalty camp before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Kathleen Walter of Fairview, Tenn., prays in the anti-death penalty camp before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Media microphones cover a lectern surrounded by photographs of Colleen Slemmer, the woman Christa Pike murdered in 1995, the day of Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Media microphones cover a lectern surrounded by photographs of Colleen Slemmer, the woman Christa Pike murdered in 1995, the day of Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.
Denny Simmons, The Tennessean Via USA TODAY Network
Emergency vehicles arrive at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. It is unknown if they were for Christa Pike who was being given a lethal injection. Pike had not been declared dead when the witnesses were asked to leave the room they were witnessing in.
Emergency vehicles arrive at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. It is unknown if they were for Christa Pike who was being given a lethal injection. Pike had not been declared dead when the witnesses were asked to leave the room they were witnessing in.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Witness John North with WBIR recounts the planned execution of Christa Pike at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Pike had not been declared dead when the witnesses were asked to leave the room they were witnessing in.
Witness John North with WBIR recounts the planned execution of Christa Pike at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Pike had not been declared dead when the witnesses were asked to leave the room they were witnessing in.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Dr. Robert Quinn of Nashville, Tenn., attends the scheduled execution of Christa Pike at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Quinn had just learned Pike had been granted a stay of execution by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Dr. Robert Quinn of Nashville, Tenn., attends the scheduled execution of Christa Pike at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. Quinn had just learned Pike had been granted a stay of execution by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Bethany Mann of Nashville, Tenn., speaks to protesters before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Bethany Mann of Nashville, Tenn., speaks to protesters before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
May Martinez, left, is escorted out of the administration building of the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution before the scheduled execution of Christa Pike – convicted of killing Martinez’ daughter, Colleen Slemmer in 1995 – Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
May Martinez, left, is escorted out of the administration building of the Riverbend Maximum Security Institution before the scheduled execution of Christa Pike – convicted of killing Martinez’ daughter, Colleen Slemmer in 1995 – Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Mounted law enforcement stand guard near the protesting area at Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Mounted law enforcement stand guard near the protesting area at Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Kathleen Walter of Fairview, Tenn., prays before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Kathleen Walter of Fairview, Tenn., prays before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Anti-death penalty protesters hold a group meditation before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Anti-death penalty protesters hold a group meditation before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Leslie Brown, a pro-death penalty protester, right, stands in the protesting area before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Leslie Brown, a pro-death penalty protester, right, stands in the protesting area before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Pastor Kevin Riggs speaks with anti-death penalty protesters in the protesting area before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Pastor Kevin Riggs speaks with anti-death penalty protesters in the protesting area before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Pro-death penalty protesters find out the news that Christa Pike’s scheduled execution was postponed at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Pro-death penalty protesters find out the news that Christa Pike’s scheduled execution was postponed at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Anti-death penalty protesters meditate before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Anti-death penalty protesters meditate before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
The Rev. Rick Laude of Nashville, Tenn., is interviewed about his pro-death penalty position before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
The Rev. Rick Laude of Nashville, Tenn., is interviewed about his pro-death penalty position before Christa Pike’s scheduled execution at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Pro-death penalty protesters find out the news that Christa Pike’s scheduled execution was postponed at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
Pro-death penalty protesters find out the news that Christa Pike’s scheduled execution was postponed at Riverbend Maximum Security Institution Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026. A stay of execution was granted by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit which delayed the proceedings.
DENNY SIMMONS / THE TENNESSEAN
Demonstrators hold hands and sing whiling holding a vigil for Christa Pike, who is on death row for killing 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995, in Krutch Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 30, 2026.
Demonstrators hold hands and sing whiling holding a vigil for Christa Pike, who is on death row for killing 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995, in Krutch Park in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 30, 2026.
Angelina Alcantar/ News Sentinel
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