Pennsylvania Stay Holds

The York Daily Record reports, "Supreme Court leaves Hubert Michael's stay of execution in place," by Rick Lee.

The U.S. Supreme Court denied the Pennsylvania attorney general's appeal to reverse a stay of execution for Hubert Michael Jr. that had been granted earlier in the day.

Six hours before his scheduled execution, Hubert Michael was granted a stay by a Third Circuit Court judge.

The execution had been set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Rockview state prison near State College.

"State prosecutors fall short in late efforts to see Michael executed," is the Harrisburg Patriot-News report by Donald Gilliland.

Six hours before Hubert L. Michael Jr. was to die by lethal injection, the stay of execution was issued.

The decision spared Michael’s life, at least temporarily, and added to the anguish of a family that has waited for his execution for nearly two decades.

The U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday issued the stay around 1 p.m. Several hours later, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the order to halt the execution.

And:

The order for a stay directed U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III to hold briefings and submit a background explanation of his decision to allow the execution to proceed. Jones must file his response within 14 days.

The appellate court then will hold its own briefings and determine whether Jones erred in his decision and whether Michael’s habeas corpus petition should be heard to determine its merits.

Michael’s attorneys claim he has “suffered from debilitating mental conditions” most of his life, which have factored into his often erratic posture with lawyers and the courts. His lawyers say he suffers from Asperger’s syndrome.

Michael repeatedly has changed his mind as to whether he wants his appeals to go forward.

Earlier coverage of Hubert Michael's case begins at the link.