After three decades of grieving her daughter, May Martinez will now be able to travel to Nashville to witness the planned execution of Christa Pike.
The 50-year-old was sentenced to death in 1996 after being convicted of murdering 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer, a fellow student at the Knoxville Job Corps Center in Tennessee.
Pike’s relationship with fellow student Tadaryl Shipp, 17, led to her involvement in the brutal torture and murder of Slemmer, whom she reportedly viewed as a romantic rival.
Pike, Shipp and another student, Shadolla Peterson, lured Slemmer to an isolated spot near the University of Tennessee’s agricultural campus, where she was stabbed to death. Pike was accused of torturing the teenager and cutting her throat with a box cutter.
In March 1996, Pike was sentenced to death after being found guilty of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Now, after 30 years, the sentence is set to be carried out. Pike is scheduled to be executed on September 30 at 11:00 a.m. EDT (15:00 GMT).
First woman executed by Tennessee in more than 200 years
An online fundraiser launched to help May Martinez, Colleen’s mother, and her husband, Raul, cover the cost of traveling to Nashville raised more than $2,500.
“After 30 years of carrying the loss of her daughter, she shouldn’t have to worry about whether she can afford to be there,” Casey Walley wrote when she launched the fundraiser on Martinez’s behalf, according to The Tennessean.
The campaign quickly drew support from people who wanted Martinez to have the opportunity to attend the execution. After the fundraising goal was reached, Walley shared another message thanking those who had contributed.
“I just want to say this on behalf of Raul and May Martinez – they are absolutely overwhelmed by the love and support everyone has shown them,” Walley posted. “They truly cannot believe how many people have stepped up, donated, shared, prayed, and simply shown that they care. They are beyond grateful for every single one of you.
“From Raul and May, and from me – thank you.
“You helped make sure they could be there for Colleen. And that means more than words can say.”
Colleen Slemmer’s mother will attend Christa Pike’s execution
For years, Pike’s attorneys have fought to stop the execution, raising arguments about her mental health and religious beliefs in repeated attempts to spare her life. Martinez, however, has made clear that she supports the execution.
“I don’t think she should be allowed to have any special treatment,” Martinez told the Daily Mail, explaining she, and her husband Raul, will be front row as Pike is killed. “She didn’t consider how my daughter felt – she’s just playing the system.”
“It’s all bullcrap,” she added.
In her interview with the New York Times, she explained that “Nobody could ever, ever convince me she’s changed.”
“We will be there the morning of the 30th of September to ensure that her punishment is carried out,” Raul shared in a Facebook post.
