# Tennessee Fails to Execute the Execution of Christa Pike. Twice **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 1, 2026, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507 "2026-10-01T08:24:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/161 "2026-10-04T04:51:01Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > I admit that I actually do think treason and insurrection might warrant the death penalty. With our current leadership, I wouldn’t trust a jury in a MAGA region to decide a treason or insurrection case. Would you? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/162 "2026-10-04T11:49:29Z")
Treason, like history, is decided by the victors. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/163 "2026-10-04T13:28:41Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I wouldn’t trust a jury in a MAGA region to decide a treason or insurrection case. Thank goodness their crimes have been committed, in no small part, in DC, eh? > [@LSLGuy](#): > > Treason, like history, is decided by the victors. People say that, and yet so much of our history of the Civil War was in fact written by the losers and there subsequent adherents. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/164 "2026-10-04T13:31:41Z")
In other news, Christa Pike is still (not!?) dead. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/165 "2026-10-04T13:46:14Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > People say that, and yet so much of our history of the Civil War was in fact written by the losers and there subsequent adherents. That’ll teach victors not to be magnanimous; Just encourages the losers to Rise Again. Next time: Scorched Earth. Here’s hoping we win. Not looking good at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/166 "2026-10-04T15:52:08Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > I admit that I actually do think treason and insurrection might warrant the death penalty Would you also have executed Washington, or is it different when you win? In a country that celebrates its insurrectionist founders, it’s a little more difficult to argue that such actions are always wrong. ---
**Author:** ![liirogue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dbc845/32.png) [@liirogue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/liirogue)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/167 "2026-10-04T17:15:09Z")
Since she is incapacitated, who gets to make medical decisions on her behalf? Is it her legal next of kin, her attorney, or the state? And if it is the state, what’s to keep them from just deciding to go ahead and discontinue life support? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/168 "2026-10-04T20:07:43Z")
> [@OldeFattBugger](#): > > A few years back, poor, sweet Christa Pike once savagely beat a fellow prison inmate so brutally that the woman permanently lost sight in one eye, and suffered irreversible neurologic damage, but that was likely just a one-time situation. I oppose the death penalty. But this makes it seem less bad in her case. Apparently, we _aren’t_ able to lock her up in a way that prevents her from seriously assaulting other human beings. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/169 "2026-10-04T20:43:43Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > or is it different when you win? Yes. We punish traitors for crimes against the state. If they win and form a new state, they are not traitors and there is no crime in the state to which they are subject. If Robert E. Lee didn’t want to raise is sword against Virginia and didn’t want to be hanged (or, most charitably, imprisoned for the remainder of his natural life) he should have stayed home. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/170 "2026-10-04T23:00:41Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I oppose the death penalty. But this makes it seem less bad in her case. Apparently, we _aren’t_ able to lock her up in a way that prevents her from seriously assaulting other human beings. This is the only time i can favor the death penalty- if life imprisonment does not stop them from killing or serious injuries. Even so- I am doubtful, but preventing another death solves some moral issues. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2026, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/171 "2026-10-04T23:55:15Z")
> [@liirogue](#): > > Since she is incapacitated, who gets to make medical decisions on her behalf? Is it her legal next of kin, her attorney, or the state? And if it is the state, what’s to keep them from just deciding to go ahead and discontinue life support? doesnt the state/fed have an obligation to uphold health and wellbeing of those deprived of liberty (prisoners,..) but also soldiers. I think they are higly limited to actively take a decision that would worsen her health to te degree of her dying … maybe @Qadgop_the_Mercotan is around to offer perspective. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/172 "2026-10-05T00:22:47Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > If Robert E. Lee didn’t want to raise is sword against Virginia and didn’t want to be hanged (or, most charitably, imprisoned for the remainder of his natural life) he should have stayed home. Or, per your reasoning, been successful at it. Which is my point: it’s only a crime if they lose, and they obviously do it because they think they WON’T lose. As opposed to Christa Pike, whose crime was a crime regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Ancient\_Nerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed655f/32.png) [@Ancient\_Nerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ancient_Nerd)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/173 "2026-10-05T00:48:17Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Or, per your reasoning, been successful at it. Which is my point: it’s only a crime if they lose, and they obviously do it because they think they WON’T lose. Ben Franklin said “We must all hang together or we shall most assurededly all hang separately.” ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/174 "2026-10-05T00:57:29Z")
> [@Dr.Drake](#): > > Would you also have executed Washington, or is it different when you win? In a country that celebrates its insurrectionist founders, it’s a little more difficult to argue that such actions are always wrong. Toranaga: There are no mitigating circumstances when it comes to rebellion against a soverign lord. Blackthorne: Unless you win. Toranaga (laughing): Yes. If you win, you are no longer a rebel. You are the leader. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/175 "2026-10-05T01:17:44Z")
> [@OldeFattBugger](#): > > It probably isn’t true… You should have stopped typing then. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/176 "2026-10-05T01:18:42Z")
**Treason doth never prosper, what’s the reason?** **For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.** _Sir John Harington_ ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/177 "2026-10-05T01:45:07Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > doesnt the state/fed have an obligation to uphold health and wellbeing of those deprived of liberty (prisoners,..) but also soldiers. I think they are higly limited to actively take a decision that would worsen her health to te degree of her dying … > > maybe @Qadgop_the_Mercotan is around to offer perspective. In Wisconsin where I worked (and where there is no death penalty, thankfully) we encourage all our inmates to choose who they want to be their medical power of attorney (to be activated if they become incapacitated). They can choose family, friends, and even some volunteers from non profit groups involved in upholding inmate rights. The State really, really, REALLY does not want to be in the position of making such medical judgements for inmates. This is the ideal way for it to happen, but all too many inmates don’t do this, often despite having grave progressive chronic diseases and regular meetings with social workers encouraging them to pick the power of attorney. So the State often has to come in when the inmate is no longer competent and get a Guardian ad Litem, a person appointed by a court to investigate and protect the best interests of a minor or an incapacitated person. Which is a real PITA to establish if things are deteriorating quick, but once it is established that person can make medical decisions for the inmate, based on what they perceive to be the inmate’s best interest. Even then it can get sticky, because we’ve had times when the inmate left advanced directives of what they did or did not want done in case of incapacity, yet did not name a medical power of attorney. And we’ve had guardians ad litem in those situations who made decisions that were contrary to the advanced directives, when they thought that the inmate’s advanced directives did not make sense for the situation which arose. Which can result in more legal arguments. Oftentimes the patient dies before it’s all straightened out in those situations. Glad I’m out of it. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/178 "2026-10-05T02:40:42Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I oppose the death penalty. But this makes it seem less bad in her case. Apparently, we _aren’t_ able to lock her up in a way that prevents her from seriously assaulting other human beings Why did she try to murder someone in prison? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/179 "2026-10-05T05:17:18Z")
I don’t know. I’m not sure it matters. If our prisons are so badly run that it was self-defense, or the guards drove two women to injure each other, then forcing people to spend decades in prison is an evil comparable to the death penalty. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2026, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507/180 "2026-10-05T07:18:24Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > Why did she try to murder someone in prison? According to Gemini: > [@](#): > > Christa Pike’s August 24, 2001, assault on fellow inmate Patricia Jones—which led to an attempted first-degree murder conviction—stemmed from ongoing personal animosity and an escalating altercation between Jones and another inmate, Natasha Cornett. > > Justia Law > > According to trial testimony and a recorded phone call between Pike and her mother: > > - **Incessant Conflict:** Pike expressed severe hatred toward Jones, stating that Jones was “running her damn mouth” to Cornett and continually provoking people. > > - **Intervention in a Fight:** During an argument between Jones and Cornett in the prison recreation area, Jones swung at Cornett. Pike stepped in from behind, wrapped a shoestring around Jones’s neck, and strangled her until she lost consciousness. > > - **Safety Concerns:** Pike additionally testified that Jones was habitually aggressive and had repeatedly threatened both her life and Cornett’s life in the facility. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tennessee-fails-to-execute-the-execution-of-christa-pike-twice/1033507.md?page=10)