LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Supreme Court has halted this week’s planned execution of an inmate whose attorneys say suffers from psychotic delusions.
Justices on Tuesday granted the request for an emergency stay for Jack Greene, who had been scheduled to be executed Thursday night. Greene, who’s from North Carolina, was sentenced to die for the 1991 death of Sidney Burnett, who was beaten with a can of hominy, stabbed and shot.
Greene’s attorneys had asked for the stay so justices could review a lower court’s decision to dismiss his challenge of a state law that gives Arkansas’ top prison official the authority to determine whether he is competent.
In response to the state’s Supreme Court decision, Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge stated, “With no written order or explanation provided, the Arkansas Supreme Court has once again delayed justice for the family of Sidney Burnett. I will continue to fight for justice for Sidney Burnett and to give the Burnett family the closure they deserve.”
