[Deathpenalty] death penalty news---ARKANSAS

[Rick Halperin]

April 19


ARKANSAS:

Arkansas Supreme Court halts 1 death-row inmate's execution


The Arkansas Supreme Court on Wednesday night halted the execution of Stacey 
Johnson, which was scheduled for Thursday.

The Arkansas Supreme Court has halted one of two executions set for Thursday, 
saying the condemned inmate should have a chance to prove his innocence with 
more DNA testing.

Stacey Johnson claims that advanced DNA techniques could show that he didn't 
kill Carol Heath, a 25-year-old mother of two, in 1993 at her southwest 
Arkansas apartment.

In a 4-3 ruling late Wednesday afternoon, the state's highest court issued a 
stay for Johnson and ordered a new hearing in lower court for Johnson to make 
his claims.

Johnson was set for execution Thursday night along with inmate Ledell Lee, who 
is also seeking a stay in a separate case.

(source: Arkansasonline.com)