According to the appeal filed to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2018, Pike’s life was marked by severe physical and sexual abuse, violence, rape, and neglect from a young age. Her mother’s alcoholism and neglect, as well as her father’s attempt to put her up for adoption right before she turned 18, added to her traumatic upbringing.
During her trial, Dr. Eric Engum noted that while Pike did not exhibit symptoms of brain damage or insanity, she suffered from a severe borderline personality disorder and displayed signs of cannabis dependence and a depressive disorder.
The Controversial Nature of the Death Sentence
The case of Christa Pike has prompted a debate about the use of the death penalty, particularly when applied to a young woman who committed a crime during her teenage years.
The Tennessee Supreme Court justices rejected her 2018 claim because her case did not meet the criteria of a “heinous and inexplicable crime.” They contended that her sentence reflected a presumption of her incapacity for reform, despite the experiences of other teenage offenders who have undergone rehabilitation while incarcerated.
