Convicted killer Christa Pike wants a second chance at life

Christa Pike killed Colleen Slemmer in 1995. The "Job Corps Murder" is remembered as one of the most brutal in East Tennessee history.

Pike was convicted in 1996 and sentenced to death. The confessed killer is now appealing the decision in Criminal Court Division III.

On Monday, the defense called family members to paint a picture of a tragic childhood. Pike's mother, Carissa Hanson told the court her daughter was raped and abused, and even gave examples of her own maternal neglect. "We were at our house and Christa had a few friends over and I don't remember how it started but we smoked marijuana together," Hanson explained.

Hanson's testimony filled most of the day as she gave specific details to horrific events in Pike's childhood, including her rape as a young child and again as a teenager.

"I think there were woods and a man grabbed her from the street and took her into the street and sexually molested her," Hanson said without any emotion.

Pike also seemed untouched by the testimony, even flirting with her girlfriend in the courtroom until her mother touched on Pike's teen pregnancy.

"She told me she was pregnant and I don't know when we started to have that conversation, but we talked about whether she would keep the baby or not," Hanson said.

Hanson said Pike had an abortion. At that point in the testimony, Pike began crying, even sobbing, as she left the courtroom for a brief recess.

Pike's current girlfriend, Tammy Maynard, was a former inmate with Pike. Maynard says Pike has put aside her violent and tough exterior.

"She shaves her head so kids with cancer can have wigs, people need to know that part. She is human and she does care. The media looks at her like she's a monster, but she is human and she has a lot of love to give," Maynard said.

But Pike's family says love was not a part of her childhood and they hope by shedding light on her life they will keep her from an early death at the hands of the law.

The defense is expected to call character witnesses until Wednesday in the first phase of the appeal. The second half of the hearing is not set yet. The Attorney General did not call any rebuttal witnesses Monday.