Christa Pike refused a last meal before her failed execution, but she asked for something else

Christa Pike reportedly refused her last meal offer before her execution, which, as we know, failed after two lethal injections. 

Over 30 years after the murder that would land her on death row at the age of 18, Christa Pike experienced a failed execution. She’s now in the hospital, but she “may not fully recover” and the long-term prognosis remains “up in the air.”

“The state of Tennessee has not yet said whether it will ultimately try to execute her again,” her lawyer said recently. 

Christa Pike did refuse her last meal, but for a reason 

Credit: WIBR/Tennessee Department of Correction

Ahead of the execution last week, local media outlets reported that Christa Pike rejected her last meal. As per the Tennessee Department of Correction’s own information, prisoners on death row are supposed to be offered a last meal with various restrictions. 

Prison workers must “ensure the inmate concludes the last meal by 12:00 am the night before the execution”, and that “all eating utensils and leftover food are removed from the cell” after eating. 

“The inmate may request a special meal. The meal is provided within reason as determined by the Warden. Cost must not exceed $20.00,” Tennessee’s rules lay out. 

Most Read

Gypsy Rose Blanchard releases statement as partner Ken Urker is found dead aged 34

As Christa Pike’s execution fails, her accomplice boyfriend is living a totally different life

The Celebrity Traitors rules explained, as Richard E Grant immediately let slip he’s a Traitor

Previously, other prisoners on death row had requested things like Philly cheesesteak and fries, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, biscuits and coffee, and hot dogs and tater tots. 

Initially, local media simply stated that Christa had refused the offer without stating a reason, but that’s not technically true. 

After the failed execution, The New York Times dug into Christa Pike’s final hours and the real reason she refused her last meal. 

As it turns out, she requested that the $20 be used to buy pizza for homeless people in Nashville, Tennessee. But at the time of writing, there was no official confirmation that prison officials had carried out her wishes. 

Christa is not the first person in Tennessee to refuse a last meal. In 2007, Philip Workman also requested that the $20 be spent on vegetarian pizzas for homeless people. 

Another prisoner, Donnie Johnson, followed suit in 2019, citing Philip as his inspiration, but prison chiefs actually refused to donate the money. Instead, supporters on the outside raised money to purchase 150 pizzas for the homeless. 

For more, like The Tab on Facebook.

Featured image credit: Tennessee Department of Correction/WZTV