Texas delays execution of Wood

HUNTSVILLE, Texas, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- Texas Thursday delayed executing a convicted accomplice in a 1996 homicide so doctors can evaluate his competence to be executed, officials said. Jefferey Wood was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection in Huntsville, Texas, at 6 p.m., but U.S. District Judge Orlando Garcia ordered the delay to allow the psychiatric examination, the Houston Chronicle reported. Wood was being returned to his death row cell, the newspaper said. His attorney said he would report to the court on the psychiatric evaluation in 2009. If Wood is found incompetent, his execution could be postponed indefinitely, the newspaper said. Wood was arrested with David Reneau the day after convenience story employee Kris Lee Keeran was shot and killed in an armed robbery. Defense attorneys argued that Wood is not... [read full story]                    

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