Executions Stayed in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas

The Federal Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio granted a one-week stay to John W. Byrd, Jr., who was scheduled for execution on September 12.  Byrd maintains that while he participated in a robbery, he is innocent of murder.  The court denied his appeal but agreed to allow more time to consider whether the entire 6th Circuit should consider the merits of his appeal. (Associated Press, 9/10/01)

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals granted an indefinite stay to Mexican National Gerardo Valdez to consider what it termed to be a "unique and serious matter" of international law.  Valdez's appeal is partly based on a decision by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) earlier this year that condemned the U.S. for executing foreign nationals who had been denied consular access upon arrest.  Valdez was also denied consular access in violation of the Vienna Convention.  (The Oklahoman, 9/11/01) See also, foreign nationals.

In Texas, the September 11 execution of Jeffery Tucker was stayed in light of the day's terrorist attacks which resulted in the closing of federal courts. (Dallas Morning News, 9/12/01)