Washington high court stays execution

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 13 (UPI) -- The Washington Supreme Court stayed the execution of Cal Coburn Brown less than eight hours before he was scheduled to die for a 1991 rape-torture slaying.

In its 5-4 decision issued Thursday, the state's high court ordered that Brown, 50, be allowed to join a case challenging Washington's lethal injection method for executions, The Seattle Times reported Friday.

"I am so gratified that the Washington State Supreme Court granted a stay of execution. I think they have done the right thing," said Suzanne Elliott, one of Brown's attorneys. "I am very glad all of these issues will be fully heard by the court before anyone takes the ultimate action against my client."

In 1991, Brown carjacked Holly Washa, 22, of Burien, Wash., at knife point near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Court documents said Brown told investigators he raped and tortured Washa over a two-day period before slashing her throat and leaving her body in the trunk of her car near the airport, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said. He was convicted in 1993.

In a statement, state Attorney General Rob McKenna offered condolences to Washa's relatives and friends. McKenna said he was optimistic that Brown's sentence will be carried out.

A trial is scheduled for May in Thurston County Superior Court in the case that alleges the state's lethal injection protocol can cause undue pain and suffering, the Post-Intelligencer said. If his appeal fails, Brown's execution would be 45 days after the jury verdict.