Christa Pike’s execution was stalled just one hour before it was set to begin Wednesday as a federal appeals court moved to take a closer look at an issue involving her previous federal court case.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit issued an order staying Pike’s execution “until further order of this court.” The decision was entered by a three-judge panel, of which one member dissented.
The decision was not a re-litigation of the facts of her case.
Pike’s attorneys said the state had changed its legal position that “she is a liar who fabricated sexual abuse.” Her attorneys argued that the state’s previous position affected her state court proceedings and, subsequently, her federal court proceedings. Now that the state has changed its position, her lawyers said, the federal court should reconsider the earlier proceeding.
However, state lawyers argued that the move amounts to another habeas corpus petition, which is tightly restricted under federal law. They argued Pike is also trying to reassert her claim of ineffective assistance of counsel. They said her legal team at the time allegedly failed to “introduce evidence of or even investigate her history of child sexual abuse.”
With those questions unresolved, the court stayed her execution, a move that was “necessary,” it said.
