Tennessee Governor: Pike Sentence Stays

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee stated on Wednesday that he expects Christa Pike to retain her death sentence despite the state's failed execution attempt in September. Lee indicated that Pike remains incarcerated under state law, and he suspects her status will not change unless the courts rule otherwise. He made these remarks when asked whether the state would attempt to execute Pike again or if he would commute her sentence to life in prison.

Pike received a death sentence for the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer. During the September execution, Pike survived two doses of the lethal injection drug. The procedure is the second botched execution in Tennessee this year. Following the incident, Pike spent several days in a hospital before returning to prison. She is currently able to walk on her own and speak in full sentences.

Lee paused all executions through the end of the year to investigate the errors in Pike's case. Frank Strada, the commissioner of the Department of Correction, resigned in the aftermath of the failed procedure. Lee said Strada will leave his post by the end of the month. The governor expects to announce a replacement for Strada within the next few days.

Lee noted that Pike is still under the laws of the state of Tennessee. He said, "I suspect her sentence will be the same as before unless determined otherwise by the courts." The governor has not yet decided if the state will try to execute Pike a second time.