Gov. Lee says Christa Pike's death sentence likely stands after botched execution

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said he believes Christa Pike's death sentence will remain in effect following her failed execution last month. He made the comment Wednesday when asked if the state would attempt to execute her again or if he would commute her sentence to life in prison. Lee stated that Pike is still incarcerated under state law and that her sentence will stay the same unless the courts determine otherwise.

Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer. In September, the execution attempt failed after Pike survived two doses of the lethal injection drug. She was hospitalized for several days following the incident and has since returned to prison. Pike is now able to speak in full sentences and walk on her own.

The governor paused all executions in the state through the end of the year to investigate what went wrong during Pike's attempt. This was the second botched execution in Tennessee this year. Frank Strada resigned as commissioner of the Department of Correction in the aftermath. Lee said Strada will leave his post by the end of the month. The governor expects to announce a replacement within the next few days.

Lee did not confirm a specific timeline for a new execution attempt. He noted that the decision rests on the current legal status of Pike's case. The state is reviewing the events of the September execution while the pause remains in place. Pike remains in custody at the Department of Correction facility. The search for a new commissioner is ongoing.