HOLD ON

Schizophrenic Texan’s Execution Halted

Scheduled to die tonight.

The execution of a schizophrenic inmate on Texas’s death row was halted by a federal appeals court Wednesday afternoon for further review of “complex legal questions” in the case. (The court did not say what those questions are.) Lawyers had sought a stay in order for mental-health professionals to determine whether or not Scott Panetti was mentally competent. The lawyers argue executing him would amount to cruel and unusual punishment. Panetti, who was convicted of shooting and killing his wife’s parents in 1992, was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 1978 and hospitalized multiple times due to the illness. Panetti represented himself at his murder trial, dressing as a cowboy and calling JFK, Jesus, and the pope as witnesses.