Mother of Christa Pike's victim speaks out following botched execution

Colleen Slemmer's mother, May Martinez, expressed her desire for an apology from the state following the botched execution of Christa Pike in Tennessee. The execution attempt occurred 30 years after Pike was sentenced to death for the 1995 murder of Slemmer. Pike, now 50 years old and the only woman on Tennessee's death row, is currently in critical condition after her execution failed despite multiple lethal injections.

Slemmer's mother had traveled from Orange Park, Florida, to Nashville to witness the execution, which took place amidst several last-minute legal challenges. When asked if anyone had apologized to her about the botched execution, Martinez said, "No, sir. Nobody apologized."

Witnesses reported that authorities administered two rounds of lethal pentobarbital to Pike, but she continued to breathe and snore loudly after the drugs were administered, even after the execution chamber's curtains were closed. Martinez questioned the state about Pike's future and expressed her disbelief at the situation. She stated, "I don't know what we're doing with her yet.

Here we are, 31 years, and you're laughing in my face again." The Jacksonville community rallied to support Martinez by raising over $2,500 to help cover the cost of her travel to Nashville for the execution.