At Operation Restoration, we believe accountability should never come at the expense of humanity.
The circumstances surrounding Christa Pike’s case are deeply troubling, particularly the extent to which the severe sexual abuse and trauma she experienced as a child were not given the weight they deserved. She was only 18 years old at the time of the crime. Trauma does not excuse harm, but it cannot be separated from the life experiences that shape a person, especially when the consequences are irreversible.
We work every day with women and girls impacted by the criminal legal system, many of whom have experienced abuse, violence, neglect and trauma long before incarceration. Those experiences matter, and they should never be treated as secondary when the consequence is life or death.
We recognize the profound loss of Colleen Slemmer and the lasting pain experienced by her loved ones. At the same time, we believe compassion and accountability can coexist, and that no person’s humanity should be disregarded.
Christa Pike survived an execution attempt and remains in critical condition. Her case is a painful reminder that when life is at stake, a person’s full history must be meaningfully considered.
Accountability and compassion are not mutually exclusive. Tennessee law already recognizes limits on shackling in certain medical circumstances. Keeping Christa Pike shackled while she recovers from a failed execution attempt is inhumane and excessive.