A twist in the plot? Court halts execution of Tennessee murderer - an hour before the deadline

A federal appeals court halted the execution of Christa Pike, the first woman scheduled to receive the death penalty in Tennessee in 200 years, an hour before the scheduled time. The court is examining whether her claims of childhood sexual abuse and rape were taken into account in her sentencing.

A federal appeals court halted the execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee about an hour before the scheduled time. Pike, 50, was convicted along with her boyfriend for the 1995 murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. The court is examining whether her claims of childhood sexual abuse and rape were fully considered in her sentencing. The decision was made by a 2-1 vote, and the Tennessee Attorney General immediately appealed the stay to the Supreme Court. Pike was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder after the murder. Her supporters argue that the state should consider her age at the time, mental illness, and history of severe sexual abuse. Federal public defender Stephen Ferrell said Pike's death sentence is unusual in Tennessee given the circumstances. If executed, she would be the first woman executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years.