Christa Pike seeks firing squad, not lethal injection: Inside US executions - Al Jazeera
Christa Pike, the only woman on death row in Tennessee, faced a stayed execution after two failed attempts at lethal injection. Pike had previously requested to be executed by a firing squad rather than lethal injection.
Why it matters
The case raises significant ethical and legal questions regarding the death penalty, the use of lethal injection, and the rarity of female executions in the U.S.
Set to be Tennessee’s first female execution in 200 years, before it was stayed at the 11th hour on Wednesday, Pike made an unusual request about how she should die.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info Christa Gail Pike, the only woman on death row in Tennessee state, US [File: Handout/Tennessee Department of Correction via Reuters] By Nils Adler Published On 30 Sep 2026 30 Sep 2026 | Updated: 6 hours ago Updated: 6 hours ago Christa Gail Pike, a Tennessee woman who was to be executed on Wednesday night, survived two doses of lethal injection after last-ditch appeals and counter-appeals delayed the state government’s attempts to carry out the death penalty.
Also covering this story
10 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
U.S. Supreme Court clears way for Tennessee woman's imminent execution
Court halts Tennessee’s first execution of a woman in 200 years
U.S. appeals court halts Tennessee execution of Christa Pike
Execution of US murderer Christa Pike halted shortly before it was due to happen
Execution of US murderer Christa Pike halted an hour before it was due to happen
US appeals court pauses execution of Tennessee killer Christa Pike, one hour before it was due to take place
Tennessee governor halts executions after Christa Gail Pike survives lethal injection
Tennessee To Execute First Woman In 200 Years: Inside Christa Pike Case
What to know about Christa Pike, first woman to be executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years
Tennessee to execute woman for first time in two centuries
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