A federal court on Wednesday ordered a pause on the execution of Christa Pike, convicted of murder in 1995, hours before she was set to die by lethal injection in Nashville. Ms. Pike, 50, would have been the first woman executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years. Her lawyers argued her defense failed to consider her history of child sexual abuse and neglect. The ruling came after the Supreme Court declined to intervene. Gov. Bill Lee denied clemency. Jonathan Skrmetti, Tennessee’s attorney general, appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said the pause was necessary to consider new arguments. Judge Jane B. Stranch wrote, joined by Judge Karen Moore, that “the interests of justice and the finality of Pike’s impending execution compel the entry of a short stay.” The order was a reprieve while litigation continues. Ms. Pike has expressed remorse and been treated for bipolar disorder and PTSD.

May Martinez, Ms. Slemmer’s mother, remained adamant that Ms. Pike should be executed. Robin Maher, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said the case has galvanized public opinion. Outside the prison, protesters expressed confusion and frustration over the last-minute intervention.