Del. Judge Halts Scheduled Execution

Man's attorneys argue that a new drug the state has added it execution protocol is not covered by a previous ruling upholding the state's use of lethal injection.

A federal judge in Delaware has halted the scheduled execution of a convicted killer who had been set to die by lethal injection later this month.

Judge Sue Robinson on Monday ordered that the scheduled July 29 execution of Robert Jackson III be put on hold, and that she would hear arguments on July 27 in Jackson's latest appeal.

Jackson's attorneys argue that a new drug the state has added it execution protocol is not covered by a previous ruling by Robinson upholding the state's use of lethal injection. They also argue that one of the drugs previously used is no longer legally available but still on the state's list of drug options, presenting the possibility that the state could use an expired or illegally imported version of the drug.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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