The execution of Christa Pike

[Stevelondon]

I doubt I will ever understand how the USA legal system operates when it comes to people being found guilty of crimes where they receive death sentences. Then they spend years in prison before the act of killing them is carried out.

Christa Pike is due to be put to death tomorrow. She was found guilty of murder and given the death sentence in 1996. 30 years of waiting. 🤷🏼

A horrendous crime undoubtedly. An interesting read concerning the others involved and Christa Pikes own struggles in her younger life.

[Munter84]

As well as being one of the few democracies that has the death penalty, America is also one of the most litigious countries on Earth. The combination of the two means it's not unusual for death row inmates to languish in prison for decades before due process is deemed to have been carried out. I'm not saying it would be better if executions were fast-tracked, but it really wears thin the idea that capital punishment is better value for taxpayer money than a life sentence behind bars.

[Watts.E.Dunn]

They should do what most countries have done and abolish it. The current system is plain daft.

Life  sentenced will suffice, and if their has been a miscarriage of justice then a posthumous pardon is avoided..

Murder she may have done but her life was horrendous from almost the time she was born poor girl..

[timsussex]

As well as being one of the few democracies that has the death penalty, America is also one of the most litigious countries on Earth. The combination of the two means it's not unusual for death row inmates to languish in prison for decades before due process is deemed to have been carried out. I'm not saying it would be better if executions were fast-tracked, but it really wears thin the idea that capital punishment is better value for taxpayer money than a life sentence behind bars.

sums USA up really

There was a program a couple of years back following 4 people on deathrow the usual selection of I didnt do it or  the other guy pulled the trigger or I did it but now Ive found God but the fourth was interesting because he did it  and accepted he deserved to die.
Now the details were  pretty bad he was a career criminal who committed an appalling crime 
He really was a piece of shit but there were people raising money for his numerous appeals and standing vigil outside the prison

[PepeMAGA]

I have mixed feelings about it. I can think of various murders etc that I would approve of being executed, but also don't like the idea of someone innocent being executed, and I don't really care for the argument of it would be very few etc.
Also, once you allow state execution for one crime, it's a slippery slope to others being included and different interpretations of crime.

[Stevelondon]

The minutes tick by. Execution to be carried out at around 3pm (GMT)

Pikes (then) bf was 17 when he helped with the murder. He is due to be considered for a parole hearing in 2031.

Pikes friend Shadolla Peterson was 18 at the time of the murder and she acted as lookout when the torture and death took place. She provided evidence against the other two during trial………. The American system of plea bargaining. It got her only a year in jail. 🤷🏼

She assisted in the murder of an innocent young girl but gets to walk away with only a year in jail. She has lived in anonymity ever since.
American justice systems at work. 🤷🏼

[daviemac]

It's been delayed.

[Stevelondon]

Apparently the fact she was sexually and physically abused as a child. May now be looked at in an appeals court.

[Colston36]

sums USA up really

There was a program a couple of years back following 4 people on deathrow the usual selection of I didnt do it or  the other guy pulled the trigger or I did it but now Ive found God but the fourth was interesting because he did it  and accepted he deserved to die.
Now the details were  pretty bad he was a career criminal who committed an appalling crime 
He really was a piece of shit but there were people raising money for his numerous appeals and standing vigil outside the prison

America really is backward in so many ways. starting with no free medical service and carrying on to the fact that a convicted crook can become president not once but twice. One problem is that history is not taught in most schools and a second that any idiot can buy as many guns, as they like. Despite the regular killings, often in schools, nothing is done because money is God there, and the people who sell guns have plenty.

[DastardlyDick]

America really is backward in so many ways. starting with no free medical service and carrying on to the fact that a convicted crook can become president not once but twice. One problem is that history is not taught in most schools and a second that any idiot can buy as many guns, as they like. Despite the regular killings, often in schools, nothing is done because money is God there, and the people who sell guns have plenty.

They're trying to run a 21st Century Country by 18th Century rules aka the Constitution. It's barely a Democracy, Gerrymandering is considered a legitimate tactic by both Parties. As for the Firearms issue, there was a logic behind a  the "right to bear arms" at the time but now they have a proper Army a fact the pro gun lobby seem to forget.
I'm not saying our political system is perfect, but theirs is just primitive.

[daviemac]

This thread is about the execution of one individual, it isn't about American politics.

[Adoniron]

BBC News reporting that she was still alive after two doses and the execution was halted and she was taken to hospital.

[timsussex]

External Link/Members Only

wonder if she is a descendant of John "Babbacombe" Lee (1864–1945), famously known as "The Man They Couldn't Hang,"

[Jerboa]

What is wrong with a length of rope?

[Doc Holliday]

Botched execution. Medical professionals are legally no longer able to administer the drugs. Drug companies will not supply the drugs for this use. Recipe for failure.

[RandomGuy99]

It's not good to be snoring through your own execution

[Doc Holliday]

What is wrong with a length of rope?

Generally efficient but considered barbaric. Is the number one method of suicide for men in most countries. US being an exception for obvious reasons.

[catweazle]

BBC News reporting that she was still alive after two doses and the execution was halted and she was taken to hospital.

This now makes one wonder what happens next. Do they get her back to some kind if health then try again, or do they give up trying to kill her and commute the sentence to life without parole?

[RandomGuy99]

This now makes one wonder what happens next. Do they get her back to some kind if health then try again, or do they give up trying to kill her and commute the sentence to life without parole?

Someone just shoots her in the head.

[Jerboa]

Generally efficient but considered barbaric. Is the number one method of suicide for men in most countries. US being an exception for obvious reasons.

Not really if you do it right death is almost instantaneous, breaking the neck, short rope long drop, was quite a art.

[Blackpool Rock]

This now makes one wonder what happens next. Do they get her back to some kind if health then try again, or do they give up trying to kill her and commute the sentence to life without parole?

Yeah ironic that you have to be considered fit and healthy before the state can murder you 

Perhaps depending on her general health the state will administer all manner of drugs to "Help" her but these will actually be like a chemical cosh until they kill her 

Didn't there used to be a thing whereby if you survived an execution it was deemed to be divine intervention or some act of god and you were spared 

[Doc Holliday]

Not really if you do it right death is almost instantaneous, breaking the neck, short rope long drop, was quite a art.

You quoted my post but did you understand it? I said it was generally efficient though the neck is not always broken and it is a very unpleasant death (as in most suicides) Being barbaric does not relate to efficiency.

The most efficient way is the guillotine (the French do get some things right  ) but is considered highly barbaric

[Doc Holliday]

Yeah ironic that you have to be considered fit and healthy before the state can murder you 

Perhaps depending on her general health the state will administer all manner of drugs to "Help" her but these will actually be like a chemical cosh until they kill her 

Didn't there used to be a thing whereby if you survived an execution it was deemed to be divine intervention or some act of god and you were spared 

On the basis of available information, I would speculate that, should she survive, the probability of permanent damage is very high.

Regarding your last paragraph I think that is still the case, but even if it wasn't given the circumstances, surely there is no way they would try again?

[Stevelondon]

BBC News reporting that she was still alive after two doses and the execution was halted and she was taken to hospital.

The article says there is also a chance of her being brain damaged now.

[Stevelondon]

Just got there behind you Doc.

I agree with you completely.

But of course this is the good old U S of A 🤷🏼

[Adoniron]

Those US proponents of the death penalty who call themselves Christians may wish to reflect on whether after two failed attempts it is God's will that she should not be executed.

[Stevelondon]

     We better leave it there…….. this is turning political and religious 😂

[catweazle]

Tennessee ( and other states) does have a history of 'pausing ' execution after a bungled attempt then trying again some time later- in one case a year later. Thr Supreme Court has said previously that an inmate must be aware that they are being put ti death; given the potential for  brain damage in this case she may not understand any more

[timsussex]

....

Didn't there used to be a thing whereby if you survived an execution it was deemed to be divine intervention or some act of god and you were spared 

I dont think there is an actual law to that effect but to expand on my earlier post after John Babbacombe Lee survived three attempts to hang him the local judiciary wondered if this was a divine signal and commuted his sentence to life in prison Even then it didnt mean life and he was later released and I believe emigrated to America. Who know perhaps she is a descendant? There are other parallels in that he was only 16 and numerous pleas for leniency had been denied 

Above information dredged from my memory of a complete  Fairport Convention album  - available on Youtube - including  hanging song
External Link/Members Only

[Colston36]

I doubt I will ever understand how the USA legal system operates when it comes to people being found guilty of crimes where they receive death sentences. Then they spend years in prison before the act of killing them is carried out.

Christa Pike is due to be put to death tomorrow. She was found guilty of murder and given the death sentence in 1996. 30 years of waiting. 🤷🏼

A horrendous crime undoubtedly. An interesting read concerning the others involved and Christa Pikes own struggles in her younger life.

The US is the home of hypocrisy, augmented by a blast of ignorance. It claims to be a Christian nation but allows the death penalty. It seems all those money-grubbing preachers have never read the commandment that reads Thou Shall Not Kill.

[timsussex]

The US is the home of hypocrisy, augmented by a blast of ignorance. It claims to be a Christian nation but allows the death penalty. It seems all those money-grubbing preachers have never read the commandment that reads Thou Shall Not Kill.

without getting into a religous discussion I think most Christian societies  throughout the ages have had the death penalty (and probably slavery too)

Alongside thou shalt not kill they have the concept of an eye for an eye

[Watts.E.Dunn]

Barbarians the bloody yanks absolute sodding savages, no other word for them!..


US Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, who is running for Tennessee governor, described the situation as "tragic".

"While there should be a thorough review of what happened and why the process failed, the answer is simple: bring back the electric chair," Blackburn said.

Democrat Jerri Green, Blackburn's opponent, criticized her for wanting to "bring back one of the most cruel forms of capital punishment".

"As governor, I would put a moratorium on all future executions," Green said on X.

This is the second time in 2026 Tennessee officials attempted and failed to execute a prisoner.

In May, the execution of Tony Carruthers was called off after staff were unable to find a vein to administer a lethal drug. Carruthers was given a one-year reprieve.

[Jerboa]

Firing squad is the method used in Utah I believe.

[timsussex]

Firing squad is the method used in Utah I believe.

I think its offered in several states as an option if the condemmed wants it I believe Gary Gilmore chose it in Utah

[Stevelondon]

Barbarians the bloody yanks absolute sodding savages, no other word for them!..


US Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, who is running for Tennessee governor, described the situation as "tragic".

"While there should be a thorough review of what happened and why the process failed, the answer is simple: bring back the electric chair," Blackburn said.

Democrat Jerri Green, Blackburn's opponent, criticized her for wanting to "bring back one of the most cruel forms of capital punishment".

"As governor, I would put a moratorium on all future executions," Green said on X.

This is the second time in 2026 Tennessee officials attempted and failed to execute a prisoner.

In May, the execution of Tony Carruthers was called off after staff were unable to find a vein to administer a lethal drug. Carruthers was given a one-year reprieve.

Backward country definitely. Even though they could never see it in their society.

[DastardlyDick]

Firing squad is the method used in Utah I believe.

It's reserved for those found guilty of Aggravated Murder, and requires all 12 Jurors to recommend it, otherwise it's by Lethal Injection of Pentobarbital, the same as Tennessee. (source External Link/Members Only)

[mills_and_bhuna]

On the basis of available information, I would speculate that, should she survive, the probability of permanent damage is very high.

Regarding your last paragraph I think that is still the case, but even if it wasn't given the circumstances, surely there is no way they would try again?

You would hope so but double tap killings are an American speciality......

[DastardlyDick]

You would hope so but double tap killings are an American speciality......

Haven't they already had that? They gave her 2 doses.
It's not the first time either  - they failed with Tony Carruthers after failing to find a vein earlier this year.

[Blackpool Rock]

After trying and failing to kill her twice she's apparently now in hospital receiving emergency care to save her life, you couldn't script it could you 

[Stevelondon]

After trying and failing to kill her twice she's apparently now in hospital receiving emergency care to save her life, you couldn't script it could you 

Yep………. Probably getting her good and healthy so they can try killing her again.

Don’t you just know it’s the American way 😂

[WASA38]

Didn't there used to be a thing whereby if you survived an execution it was deemed to be divine intervention or some act of god and you were spared 

Either that or they'd come to the conclusion she must be a witch.

[timsussex]

A bit surprised that 2 lots of Pentobarbital were given I thought that most states used a 3 part process first a barbiturate, then a paralytic and finally a Potassium chloride to stop the heart

Reports of snoring at least suggest that she wasnt suffering !

[DastardlyDick]

A bit surprised that 2 lots of Pentobarbital were given I thought that most states used a 3 part process first a barbiturate, then a paralytic and finally a Potassium chloride to stop the heart

Reports of snoring at least suggest that she wasnt suffering !

The drugs given vary from State to State, with some, like Indiana, not even specifying the drugs to be used. Alabama uses a 3 drug protocol of Midozolam, Roncoronium Bromide and Potassium Chloride.

[Blackpool Rock]

Either that or they'd come to the conclusion she must be a witch.

Yeah burn her 

[berksboy]

 Cant understand why they don't just hung or shoot them. Both are cheap , quick and work. A good hangman like Pierrepoint could get the job done in 7 seconds.

[DastardlyDick]

Cant understand why they don't just hung or shoot them. Both are cheap , quick and work. A good hangman like Pierrepoint could get the job done in 7 seconds.

Again, it's a State thing, some have determined hanging is a "cruel and unusual punishment".

[timsussex]

Again, it's a State thing, some have determined hanging is a "cruel and unusual punishment".

I can see the thinking behind that; even if done correctly (and its a skilled job requiring practice to perfect) and the spinal column is broken and therefore communication between the brain to body ceases I'm not sure that is instantaneous or painless death

I suppose modern instruments measuring heart and brain activity etc could supply lots of data perhaps someone on death row would like to volunteer?

I do see  lethal injection, as originally envisaged, as one of the least cruel but now no medical professional will insert the cannula and the pharmaceutical forms wont supply the drugs 

 

[DastardlyDick]

I can see the thinking behind that; even if done correctly (and its a skilled job requiring practice to perfect) and the spinal column is broken and therefore communication between the brain to body ceases I'm not sure that is instantaneous or painless death

I suppose modern instruments measuring heart and brain activity etc could supply lots of data perhaps someone on death row would like to volunteer?

I do see  lethal injection, as originally envisaged, as one of the least cruel but now no medical professional will insert the cannula and the pharmaceutical forms wont supply the drugs

I believe the "long drop" method (as practiced by Albert Pierrepoint) works like that but they still used to leave the body hanging a while to make sure they were dead. There used to be a Home Officee document "The Book of Drops" used to work out the length of rope needed based on weight and height. I wouldn't trust the septics to get it right after their performance after WW2.

[berksboy]

i am sure a .50 cal to the back of the head and  they will know sod all about it. Cant see why people get hung up on it being instant or 100% pain free , how many victims get this ?  For sure death  itself is the punishment so yes get it done as quickly and as pain free as possible but that is not the same as 100% pain free. The US needs to sort its act out if its going to keep the death sentence as this is not the first time its gone horribly wrong , they cant carry on getting it so wrong.

[Jerboa]

i am sure a .50 cal to the back of the head and  they will know sod all about it. Cant see why people get hung up on it being instant or 100% pain free , how many victims get this ?  For sure death  itself is the punishment so yes get it done as quickly and as pain free as possible but that is not the same as 100% pain free. The US needs to sort its act out if its going to keep the death sentence as this is not the first time its gone horribly wrong , they cant carry on getting it so wrong.

A .50 would take the head of the shoulders.