Judge halts executions as inmates challenge law

Executions have been set for (top row, from left) Kenneth Williams, Jack Jones Jr., Marcel Williams, Bruce Earl Ward, and (bottom row, from left) Don Davis, Stacey Johnson, Jason McGehee and Ledell Lee.
Executions have been set for (top row, from left) Kenneth Williams, Jack Jones Jr., Marcel Williams, Bruce Earl Ward, and (bottom row, from left) Don Davis, Stacey Johnson, Jason McGehee and Ledell Lee.

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen temporarily halted the scheduled executions of eight death row prisoners on Friday.

In an order issued in the inmates' lawsuit against the Arkansas Department of Correction, Griffen wrote "that immediate and irreparable harm will result to plaintiffs absent a temporary restraining order enjoining defendants from executing plaintiffs as scheduled."

Nine inmates filed suit June 29 seeking to have the state law that sets out the method of execution declared unconstitutional. The suit also asked that the state be permanently blocked from using the current lethal injection method of execution.

Friday's order applies to all nine inmates, but only eight of them have scheduled execution dates, the earliest being Oct. 21. Plaintiffs Don Davis and Bruce Ward were to be executed that day.

Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Rutledge on status of executions

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge statement:

“It is unfortunate that once again justice is being delayed for the victims of the crimes committed by the death-row prisoners who filed this lawsuit. These delays have gone on for far too long. I respectfully disagree with the Court’s decision not to dismiss the lawsuit brought by the prisoners and to delay their executions. I will continue to fight for the victims of these murders and their grieving families.”

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