{"blocks":[{"id":"b1kex3ok-j5v2twei","type":"video","data":{"url":"https://harvest-media-clips.sinclairstoryline.com/WZTV/2026-09-30T11:29:32.761Z/Live-DVR/4617bb5e-b511-4236-b9b6-b59833c2a6ac/mp4/index.mp4","streached":true,"controls":true,"caption":"","image":{"url":"https://fox17.com/resources/media2/16x9/580/986/0x14/90/d6d84d54-2b41-4117-991a-fbda70b4be62-PIKE.JPG"}}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Christa Pike is scheduled to take her last breath Wednesday at a prison in Nashville, Tennessee, making her the first woman to be executed in more than 200 years."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"UPDATE | Tennessee pauses execution for Christa Pike"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Her execution will take place at the Riverbend Maximum Security prison for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"BEYOND THE HEADLINES | New documentary takes another look at Christa Pike before execution"}},{"id":"plv7enk0-zp9jntbp","type":"embed","data":{"service":"youtube","source":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/oUfS8hIJTbM","embed":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/oUfS8hIJTbM","caption":"","height":"315","width":"420"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee denied clemency earlier this week, keeping Pike’s execution on track for Wednesday, Sept. 30."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"This decision comes after a petition for clemency highlighted Pike’s background of severe trauma, untreated mental illness and childhood sexual abuse."}},{"id":"57p91zhs-jvsr64lg","type":"embed","data":{"service":"youtube","source":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/SHCRGZDrMRM","embed":"https://www.youtube.com/embed/SHCRGZDrMRM","caption":"","height":"315","width":"420"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Pike’s attorneys say she will be the youngest woman to receive the death penalty in the modern era of executions."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Thirty-one years ago, then 18-year-old Pike, admitted to luring Slemmer into a secluded area from the Knoxville Job Corps Center before beating and stabbing her to death. Pike's reported motive was jealousy over a boyfriend. The victim's mother, May Martinez, said she believes Pike should be held accountable for Slemmer's death."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"RELATED COVERAGE | Christa Pike could have taken a plea deal to live. Why was she told not to?"}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Pike recently told \"The Times,\" a United Kingdom outlet, she feels “a kinship” with Lindsay Clancy, who is potentially facing a retrial accused of killing her three children."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"On top of Gov. Lee denying clemency, the Tennessee Supreme Court denied Pike's request to stop the execution. Pike's attorneys have challenged Tennessee's lethal injection protocol, arguing it could cause unconstitutional pain and suffering, but all challenges have been unsuccessful up until this point."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Pike's attorneys have also raised concerns about the doctor who will handle Pike's procedure. In August, FOX 17 News confirmed the doctor who oversaw the failed Tennessee procedure of Tony Carruthers' execution will also handle Pike's execution. Gov. Lee delayed Carruthers' execution for one year after officials were unable to find a vein for one hour."}},{"type":"paragraph","data":{"text":"Check into live coverage on FOX 17 News This Morning from 5a.m. to 10a.m. as we cover the execution, and stay tuned to our FOX Nashville YouTube Channel for coverage throughout the day."}}]}

Johnny Maffei

Tennessee to execute first woman in more than 200 years