Tennessee is set to execute Christa Pike, 50, who would become the first woman put to death by the state in over 200 years, according to multiple outlets.
Pike is the only woman on Tennessee's death row and has been imprisoned for roughly 30 years, according to the Washington Examiner. She was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, according to the Daily Wire, which reported that Pike tortured Slemmer and carved a pentagram into her forehead.
The execution is scheduled for Wednesday, according to the Washington Examiner.
Separately, Axios reported that Tennessee's actions are part of a broader national increase in executions.
How each side covered it
Left
- CNN and The Washington Post both reported this would be the first execution of a woman in Tennessee in 200 years.
- Coverage centered on the historic nature of the execution.
“Tennessee is set to execute a woman for the first time in 200 years” — CNN
Center
- Newsweek reported on the historic first, framing Pike as set to be the first woman executed in Tennessee in 200 years.
- Axios placed the execution within a broader national trend of increasing executions.
“Tennessee contributes to national uptick in executions” — Axios
Right
- The Washington Examiner reported Pike is 50 years old and has been imprisoned for roughly 30 years.
- The Washington Examiner noted the execution is scheduled for Wednesday.
- The Daily Wire detailed the 1995 murder of Colleen Slemmer, including that Pike carved a pentagram into her forehead.
“A murderer who brutally tortured and killed a 19-year-old girl is set to be the first woman executed by Tennessee in two hundred years.” — The Daily Wire
Questions readers ask
Who is Christa Pike?
Christa Pike is a 50-year-old woman who has been on Tennessee's death row for roughly 30 years and is set to be executed, according to the Washington Examiner.
Why is this execution significant?
It would mark the first time in over 200 years that Tennessee has executed a woman, according to CNN, The Washington Post, Newsweek and the Washington Examiner.
What crime was Christa Pike convicted of?
According to the Daily Wire, Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, whom she tortured and carved a pentagram into her forehead.
When is the execution scheduled?
The Washington Examiner reported the execution is planned for Wednesday.
Is this part of a larger trend?
Axios reported that Tennessee's execution activity contributes to a national uptick in executions.
Sources · 7 outlet reports
- CNNLeft-leaningChrista Pike: Tennessee is set to execute a woman for the first time in 200 years
- The Washington PostLeft-leaningTennessee to execute a woman for first time in over 200 years
- AxiosCenterTennessee contributes to national uptick in executions
- NewsweekCenterChrista Pike Set to Be First Woman Executed in Tennessee in 200 Years
- UPICenterTennessee to execute its first woman in 200 years
- The Daily WireRight-leaningNotorious Killer To Become First Woman Executed By State In 200 Years, Decades After Ghastly Murder
- Washington ExaminerRight-leaningTennessee prepares to execute the first woman in over 200 years