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Post by Deleted on Jul 19, 2004 17:35:27 GMT -6
Christa Pike just lost the chance to reinstate her appeals after dropping them a year ago. Looks like any additional punishment for her attempted murder of another inmate last summer will be of academic interest only. ========================================================
Pike cannot resume appeals of death sentence, court rules
The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld a judge's decision not to allow convicted murderer Christa Gail Pike to resume appeals of her death sentence.
Pike, 28, of Durham, N.C., was convicted and sentenced to die for the 1995 torture and murder of fellow Job Corps Center student Colleen Slemmer on the University of Tennessee's Agricultural campus.
In June 2002, Pike successfully petitioned to drop her appeal. Knox County Criminal Court Judge Mary Beth Leibowitz set an Aug. 19 execution date, but Pike went back to court saying she had changed her mind and wanted to resume her appeal.
The state Court of Criminal Appeals stayed her execution and sent the case back to Leibowitz. Last February, Leibowitz denied Pike's request.
In a ruling released Thursday, a three-judge panel said death-row inmates can drop their appeals if they are competent when they make that decision. They ruled that Pike, one of only two women sentenced to death in Tennessee, was competent. "From our careful consideration of the entire record, it is our view that the evidence supports the post-conviction court's finding that the petitioner competently and voluntarily waived her right to pursue post-conviction review," the judges ruled.
They substantiated their decision with results from a competency evaluation by Dr. William Kenner. "As indicated, Dr. Kenner specifically observed that as a result of treatment with lithium, the petitioner showed 'normal levels of mental and physical activities,' and 'had a new capacity to reflect on her thoughts and feelings.'"
Pike had told Leibowitz she changed her mind because she didn't know ''what I was doing and what it would do to me and my family. I had to really sit down and think, 'My God, I'm going to die in 6 weeks.'"
But the appeals court said testimony by Pike in June 2002 revealed she had been aware of her actions. "I killed someone," she testified. "I sat in this very courtroom with a jury that found me guilty and sentenced me to death. So if that many people decided that this is what I deserve and that that's what my punishment should be, then I'm ready for that."
The Pike case
Convicted: Christa Gail Pike, 28, of Durham, N.C., one of two women on death row in Tennessee; she is held at the Tennessee Prison for Women in Nashville.
Victim: Colleen Slemmer, 19, who was in a Job Corps Center program with Pike, was slain in 1995 in Knoxville. She was stabbed and beaten for at least 30 minutes by Pike and Pike's boyfriend before dying. During the attack, they carved a pentagram into Slemmer's chest; investigators said Pike took a piece of Slemmer's skull as a souvenir.
The boyfriend: Pike's boyfriend, TaDaryl D. Shipp, is serving a life sentence at West Tennessee State Penitentiary. He was 17 at the time and is now 26. He will be eligible for parole in 2035, the state's online felony offender database said.
Most recently in the news: Pike was convicted on June 30 of this year of attempted 1st-degree murder. Authorities said she tried to kill Patricia Jones, 33, a fellow inmate at the women's prison.
(source: Associated Press)
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Macklin
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The more clearly we see the sovereignty of God, the less preplexed we are by the calamities of men.
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Post by Macklin on Jul 19, 2004 20:10:45 GMT -6
Well good news for a change.... actually they should of shot her full of the "juice" a long time ago.
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Post by Yogi on Jul 20, 2004 5:55:07 GMT -6
Been following this case. . . . this Pike is one real nasty bunny . . . her record stretches out like a lizzard's tongue . . this bad *bi+ch* needs pumping full of the "hot stuff" like yesterday!
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Post by Guest on Jul 23, 2004 2:48:02 GMT -6
Good to see that at least some people think this is good news.. I certainly don't think killing her is going to solve anything, apart from that, if you take a little more time to look into this case, you will notice that the DP is at least not the most suitable punishment for this person..
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Post by Yogi on Jul 23, 2004 8:54:46 GMT -6
Have been "looking into the case" for some considerable time and whoever you are "guest" I would suggest that the DP is the only suitable punishment for this evil individual!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2004 21:25:26 GMT -6
I think Guest might have a point.... maybe we should let her loose on other states DR's that way she can get her fill of killing and the states wouldn't have to pay for executions....
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Post by Deleted on Jul 24, 2004 22:22:15 GMT -6
Even if it were not the best punishment for her, which I think it is, once she is gone she will be saving the tax payers money. Good to see that at least some people think this is good news.. I certainly don't think killing her is going to solve anything, apart from that, if you take a little more time to look into this case, you will notice that the DP is at least not the most suitable punishment for this person..
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Post by Yogi on Jul 26, 2004 7:33:24 GMT -6
This is one bad mamma who is trying to "work the system" to delay the inevitable as long as possible - I for one am pleased that the system can accommodate and differentiate between the genuine and the fraudulent - this is definitely of the latter - roll 'em Warden!!!!!
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Post by Guest on Jul 30, 2004 1:19:23 GMT -6
You are of course all entitled to your opinions and I was expecting no sympathy from people on this forum. Like I said, you have to really take time to see there is more to this case than what you find on the internet. Most of the news on her is highly biased to make her look like some kind of monster. I do not think that letting her loose on the other state's DR's will fullfill your lust for blood. She will do nothing unless provoked, as you can tell when you take time to read past all the senstationalist, bloodlust messages that there are to find about her. I admit, she is easy (much too easily) to provoke into violence, but I spoke to one of her guards a while back, and to a friend of hers who writes her regularly, and both have confirmed my opinion of her. She is not basically evil. She does have severe personality problems. But killing her for that, is much too easy. Every individual deserves looking into, even her. Getting revenge is not the same as getting justice.
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Post by Yogi on Jul 30, 2004 2:55:25 GMT -6
Easily provoked into violence you say! This is murder were talking about, not some two bit push and shove in the playground - sadly Guest this is not a sufficient "excuse" for her crime.
The DP is the correct penalty in this case - it's all too easy to present yourself as a slightly different person when you sitting in the last chance saloon of death row - too late I'm afraid, the time to make that change was many moons ago - shoot her full of juice warden!
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Post by Guest101 on Jul 30, 2004 9:44:23 GMT -6
Yes, easily provoked into violence, that's what I said. And yes, this is not just a push and shove. It is murder. And I did not say that this wasn't something serious. Her violent behaviour does come much too easily.
I am wondering what makes you say 'easy to present yourself as a slightly different person'. As far as my information goes, her behaviour has not really changed over the years, making it quite hard to believe she is even trying to present herself different from what she is.
Her behaviour changes into extremes with her moods. She feels remorse and behaves quite good at times, while at other times she's writing letters on how much she likes to be violent and easily becomes violent herself. These occasions are rare though. She was diagnosed with a borderline personality some time ago, and her behaviour has been reflecting this over the years. Borderliners go from periods of violence and offensive behaviour to normal (and remorseful) behaviour after such a period. One of my friends has a borderline disorder, and shows behaviour not unlike this. She's been treated for this for over 5 years now, and making progress. This progress takes time and effort however, neither of which has been given to Christa, ending up in a murder. With a reason that was just a figment of her imagination. Colleen never intended to take her boyfriend from her. Yet Christa was so convinced she was, she was able to commit murder because of it. Does this sound like sane behaviour to you?
Looking at her changing behaviour, I think there is a strong possibilty she is not faking either behaviour. Both are in her nature due to her disorders.
This does not mean I think she should be set free. Not at all. But the DP is a reasonable punishment for someone like this.
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Post by Guest101 on Jul 30, 2004 9:50:21 GMT -6
Even if it were not the best punishment for her, which I think it is, once she is gone she will be saving the tax payers money. Is there ever a time when money is a good reason to end a human life? I think a lot of tax money could be saved when none of it would be spent on wellfare, health care or the elderly. That does not mean it's a good argument not to spend it. Neither is spending it on this case, in my opinion.
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Post by Loretta on Jul 30, 2004 16:09:00 GMT -6
So when is the big day on this one? Seems this should settle any outstanding issues concerning appeals..........So, when can we expect this 'non-human' to be exterminated...oops, executed....
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Post by Guest101 on Aug 1, 2004 1:53:03 GMT -6
So when is the big day on this one? Seems this should settle any outstanding issues concerning appeals..........So, when can we expect this 'non-human' to be exterminated...oops, executed.... So, you would settle issues on someone by killing him.. That is exactly the kind of quote which leads me to believe that a lot of people on this forum are just out for blood, not justice. It makes me really sad to see this.
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Post by Billy on Aug 1, 2004 4:56:44 GMT -6
I have been following this case for about two and a half years. It appears to me that the long drawn out process it cruel punishment in itself. I recall when I was a kid that there was much disbelief when Caryl Chessman was executed after about a decade on death row. I think that there should be a regulated period of time from handing down of sentence to execution thereof. As for Christa, her recent attempted murder conviction should leave no doubt as to unsuitability to rejoin society.
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Post by Loretta on Aug 1, 2004 13:45:13 GMT -6
So, you would settle issues on someone by killing him.. That is exactly the kind of quote which leads me to believe that a lot of people on this forum are just out for blood, not justice. It makes me really sad to see this. Why yes I would, Guest. Seeing as though the sentence given to 'miss personality' was death and executions are still legal, and permissable for the worst of the worst, which Christa clearly is. She should have her "sentence" carried out, and pronto. No need to drag this out any further. She's guilty of the crimes for which she was comdemned for and there are no outstanding issues for appeal. Start the juice flowing...............Next!
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Post by Loretta on Aug 1, 2004 13:48:20 GMT -6
PS.
Where is your saddness for her victim? Seems you reserve your saddness for this less than human piece of you know what, yet no saddness for her victim? Shame on you.................
IT'S ALL ABOUT JUSTICE.............So quit trying to make it about anything else...............Nobody wants this broad blood. It is our obligation to protect the "innocent" from dangerous, murderous mistakes such as Christa Pike and the like. Deal with it!
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Post by Charlene on Aug 1, 2004 18:22:34 GMT -6
She does have severe personality problems. But killing her for that, is much too easy. She did not receive the death penalty because she has a bad personality. She received the death penalty because she brutally murdered an innocent young woman.
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Post by Guest101 on Aug 2, 2004 8:33:46 GMT -6
The long process is indeed a cruel punishment, especially when you have nothing to look forward to but death. That's why Christa asked to be executed a while back. Not because she wanted to die, but because she was desparate because of the conditions she was in, which were below any human standard. However, the will to live is strong in everyone, so after she had realized what she done, she asked it to be reversed. No one wants to die. That's why I'm not for a designated time before sentence is carried out.
As for the murder attempt, this was because of agitation and wrong medication. She would not have done anything if she hadnt been made fun of all the time by the one she assaulted. I know an assault seems like a harsh way of dealing with such a thing, but one must not forget that life inside prison walls is not like the outside. If you let yourself be pushed around, people are going to notice and mistreat you even worse when you don't do something about it. Apart from that, Christa is on medication for mental disorders. If she's given the wrong medication, she will behave violently, as was the case at the time of the murder attempt. So though this is not a valid excuse for trying to kill someone, it is understandable.
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Post by Guest101 on Aug 3, 2004 13:14:45 GMT -6
PS. Where is your saddness for her victim? Seems you reserve your saddness for this less than human piece of you know what, yet no saddness for her victim? Shame on you................. Who says I feel no sadness for the victim? Most of the people on this forum (like yourself) claim that people who try to point out there are definitly cases where the DP is not appropriate feel no sadness for the victims. You just make this statement which I think has no grounds based on the things I've said before. I discuss something on an arguments base, and not by just saying things like you are. I do feel sadness for the victim. I am very sorry about what happend, just as Christa is. I know you probably do not believe that, but it's true. She's sorry for what happened, and not because of the situation she is in. Believe it or not, she would turn it back if she could. My statement that she is not mentally stable does not seem to mean anything to you. The main reason I am defending her is because she is mentally unstable and on medication to keep her functioning. People who are diagnosed with mental disorders, and are put on medication like she is, should not be executed. There is no justice in that, no matter how loud you say it. PS: I am trying to respect your opinion. There is no need to put something in capitals to get a point across. Just because you're screaming does not mean you're right.
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Post by Guest101 on Aug 3, 2004 13:17:33 GMT -6
She did not receive the death penalty because she has a bad personality. She received the death penalty because she brutally murdered an innocent young woman. And she committed this murder because of a personality disorder. There is a big difference between a bad personality (which I never said anything about) and a mental disorder.
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Post by Loretta on Aug 3, 2004 14:07:36 GMT -6
Who says I feel no sadness for the victim? Most of the people on this forum (like yourself) claim that people who try to point out there are definitly cases where the DP is not appropriate feel no sadness for the victims. You just make this statement which I think has no grounds based on the things I've said before. I discuss something on an arguments base, and not by just saying things like you are. I do feel sadness for the victim. I am very sorry about what happend, just as Christa is. I know you probably do not believe that, but it's true. She's sorry for what happened, and not because of the situation she is in. Believe it or not, she would turn it back if she could. My statement that she is not mentally stable does not seem to mean anything to you. The main reason I am defending her is because she is mentally unstable and on medication to keep her functioning. People who are diagnosed with mental disorders, and are put on medication like she is, should not be executed. There is no justice in that, no matter how loud you say it. PS: I am trying to respect your opinion. There is no need to put something in capitals to get a point across. Just because you're screaming does not mean you're right. It's quite convienent to cry foul now, when she's so close to getting the juice. You make claims of 'mental illness'. Well, the reason "most" take this claim with less than a grain of salt, is because 'most' DR inmates claim mental illness of some sort. I have to agree that someone has to be sick to do the things that Christa and all murderers do, but that's a far cry from being "legally" mentally ill, retarded, or insane. There are millons of mentally unstable, retarded, or mentally ill people in the world. Very few if any commit brutal, tortorous, heinous murders. It just isn't part of the illness. What Christa has is a personality disorder which if this causes her to brutally kill people, she should not be apart of society in anyway. This however, doesn't remove her from culpabilty of her crime. She was found guilty and sentenced to die. Therefore, she WILL die. You can argue this until the cows come home. Her fate is decided. Sorry or not................She murdered a defenceless, INNOCENT (how's that for screaming), woman who had a right to live her life to the fullest.............Christa must die by lethal injection and any more prolonging would be an injustice to her victim. I don't care whether you respect my opinion or not. If you defend this human piece of crap, then I give not one iotta of what you think of me................. Find another inmate to save cuz this one's a done deal. Seems to me, you are just a little too close to this inmate for your own good.
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Post by Guest101 on Aug 4, 2004 8:28:45 GMT -6
It's quite convienent to cry foul now, when she's so close to getting the juice. Another statement you make which is not what I've said, or given by the facts in this case. The statement is not new. She's been on medication for years. You make claims of 'mental illness'. Well, the reason "most" take this claim with less than a grain of salt, is because 'most' DR inmates claim mental illness of some sort. I have to agree that someone has to be sick to do the things that Christa and all murderers do, but that's a far cry from being "legally" mentally ill, retarded, or insane. There are millons of mentally unstable, retarded, or mentally ill people in the world. Very few if any commit brutal, tortorous, heinous murders. It just isn't part of the illness. What Christa has is a personality disorder which if this causes her to brutally kill people, she should not be apart of society in anyway. This however, doesn't remove her from culpabilty of her crime. She was found guilty and sentenced to die. Therefore, she WILL die. When you say most make a claim for mental disorders, the claims are usually not supported by a doctor. In Christa's case, she has been diagnosed with several disorders. Whether you want it or not, this does make a DP dubious at least in this case. You make it sound like she trying some last straw by pretending to be sick. The truth is, she is not trying anything of the sort at this time. The people (fortunately I am not the only one) that take the time to try to change people's minds about here are. You can argue this until the cows come home. Her fate is decided. Sorry or not................ And just because it has been decided makes it right? Sorry, but that is not a valid argument. I'm glad you're not on the recieving end of a decision like this.. you would think differently, I think.. You can argue this until the cows come home. And I will. Christa's life is threatened by the DP and is worth defending. I know Americans seem to think killing people is something very normal. To me it is not. Fortunately the number of people that think this way is growing and I am sure you will get it sooner or later. You did abolish the DP once, that time will come again. Christa must die by lethal injection and any more prolonging would be an injustice to her victim. Could you, if you are capable of such a thing, explain to me why in heaven's name not killing Christa would be an injustice to the victim? Killing someone for this is not going to bring her back. It is just going to make another one dead and another family heartbroken. (how's that for screaming) - - I don't care whether you respect my opinion or not. If you defend this human piece of crap, then I give not one iotta of what you think of me................. Your reactions are what I expected, very childish and without real content. I had hoped to be able to have a meaningfull or at least respectful discussion on this forum, but unfortunately you choose to do neither. Contrary to you, I do think that mutual respect in discussion or life in general is important. I am sorry you don't and hope that you will come to see it differently when you grow more mature (whether that be in this life or the next). Find another inmate to save cuz this one's a done deal. Seems to me, you are just a little too close to this inmate for your own good. I will keep trying untill it is over, and I hope that day will never come. Yes, I am very close to her. Probably more than you can imagine. I sincerely hope you will never in your life get into a situation where you have to see someone you care for end up on death row. I think it would be good for your view on this subject, but I hope it does not happen to you nonetheless. Kind regards and goodbye
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Post by Loretta on Aug 4, 2004 12:25:53 GMT -6
The long process is indeed a cruel punishment, especially when you have nothing to look forward to but death. That's why Christa asked to be executed a while back. Not because she wanted to die, but because she was desparate because of the conditions she was in, which were below any human standard. However, the will to live is strong in everyone, so after she had realized what she done, she asked it to be reversed. No one wants to die. That's why I'm not for a designated time before sentence is carried out. As for the murder attempt, this was because of agitation and wrong medication. She would not have done anything if she hadnt been made fun of all the time by the one she assaulted. I know an assault seems like a harsh way of dealing with such a thing, but one must not forget that life inside prison walls is not like the outside. If you let yourself be pushed around, people are going to notice and mistreat you even worse when you don't do something about it. Apart from that, Christa is on medication for mental disorders. If she's given the wrong medication, she will behave violently, as was the case at the time of the murder attempt. So though this is not a valid excuse for trying to kill someone, it is understandable. ;D This entire response was a big fat yawn. Just another Eurotrash butting in where your nose doesn't belong. I pay taxes in this country, therefore I have a voice.........You on the otherhand, do not! So...................you know what 'we americans' think of your opinion......... PSssssssssssst.... Posting on a messageboard is not in the least bit condusive to FIGHTING YOUR CAUSE TO SAVE A MURDERER.............Please explain to all the readers how this is saving poor murderer, Christa? Eh?
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Post by Loretta on Aug 4, 2004 12:34:11 GMT -6
And just because it has been decided makes it right? Sorry, but that is not a valid argument. I'm glad you're not on the recieving end of a decision like this.. you would think differently, I think.. Now this statement is rich... ;D I can guarantee with out a single ounce of doubt that I will never be on the receiving end of a decision like this. Seriously, you must be joking! It takes a special kind of person to find themselves on Death Row............One who is capable of the most dispical acts known to mankind. Mistakes of the human race, if you will.
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Post by jenza on Aug 26, 2004 3:47:52 GMT -6
now I naively posted a while back about could we not rehabilitate Christa, she was only young at the time of the killings and could change, mental health issues etc etc but then felt a right idiot when I found out that she had assaulted another inmate. i think the defense from her "unnamed best friend" for this is very poor - that this girl was harrassing christa and you don't know what its like in prison etc etc. Well this was not a sudden provoked attack - this was planned by Christa to a tee. Did she not also then laugh about it to her mum? Yeah she sounds lovely we definetely should save her, why would you want to execute such a paragon of virtue? i am sorry but she is hardly doing anything to make people back her cause is she?. As for the DP argument, what does the victim's mother feel and think of this? If it will in some way give her closure and allow her to move on in her life, and she cannot stand the thought of Christa breathing air everyday whilst her daughter is dead and buried then who are we to argue that it is a cruel punishment? None of us have the right to decide what should and should not happen to Christa, in my opinion, other than the victims mother because none of us know how she feels. Just my ten pence worth!
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Post by eu.ro on Aug 26, 2004 5:32:32 GMT -6
Neither we, nor the victims relatives have the right to decide what happens to her. It's a question of life and death. This can only be a decision by God himself.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2004 17:37:25 GMT -6
Neither we, nor the victims relatives have the right to decide what happens to her. It's question of life and death. This can only be a decision of God himself. Not so. God alone judges and punishes sin, but crimes are in Ceasar's realm. NEB: Romans 13:3-4 "For government, a terror to crime, has no terrors for good behavior............it is not for nothing that they hold the power of the sword, for they are God's agents of punishment, for retribution on the offender". Hey, I didn't write this, it's been around for about two thousand years and the "power of the sword" was not just a figure of speech in first century Palestine.
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Post by Yogi on Aug 27, 2004 9:52:50 GMT -6
I hold the view that if a jury finds an individual guilty of a crime and recommends the DP then the DP should, pending appeals, be carried out.
The only exception to this being that if the victims immediate family wish to support a life imprisonment penalty (i.e. don't wish the DP to be carried out) then the judge should respect that with and impose a life term.
I think it is a little bit "away with the fairies" to be quoting that guff Eurostar and Trex - you need to get a little bit more real - 2004 is where we are - what might have been written circa 2000 years ago is somewhat irelevant!
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Post by Blitz on Aug 28, 2004 0:00:29 GMT -6
Having dealt with my brother being murdered at the age of 15 in 1984 I greatly sympathize with Colleen Slemmer's family. I will never understand how some people can feel sorry for a person who takes the life of another for no reason. Unfortunately in our state there is no death penalty and until recently the greatest sentence was life with parole...we have endured 3 parole hearings and will continue to fight through them. It will never be ok for me to have my brothers murderer free from prison to live his life. He did not give my brother the option to live...he still has his life but he does not have the right to have freedom. Christa Pike should not be allowed to continue living her life. Not one person forced her to murder Colleen..she did that on her own free will. Sitting in prison is not enough punishment for what she put Colleen and her family through. I hope that the day will come soon for her to be put to death so that Colleens family can begin to have some sort of closure.
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