Convicted killer Christa Gail Pike is asking the Tennessee Supreme Court to reverse her death sentence on the grounds of mental illness. Pike’s request describes her horrific childhood that began with brain damage before she was even born. The document states Pike endured abuse, neglect, multiple rapes, and suffered from severe mental illness.

This comes as the state has filed a motion to set an execution date.

Pike was 18 years old at the time she was charged in the 1995 death of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in Knox County. Slemmer was stabbed multiple times, her head was struck by Pike with a large piece of asphalt, and a pentagram was carved into her chest. Pike also kept a piece Slemmer’s skull as a trophy.

Following Pike’s conviction, a psychiatrist testified at her post-conviction hearing that she suffers from bipolar disorder, dissociation, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

In August 2001, Pike strangled inmate Patricia Jones with a shoe string nearly choking her to death. She was convicted of attempted first degree murder in 2004.

If Pike is executed, she would be the first female put to death in Tennessee since 1819.