MONTGOMERY, Ala., May 12 (UPI) -- A federal appeals court ordered a temporary stay in the execution of an Alabama inmate convicted in the 1985 shooting death of a Mobile police officer, saying there needs to be more time to review claims several strokes and dementia have left him incompetent.
Vernon Madison's attorneys said the death sentence violates his Eighth Amendment right prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment. Oral arguments are expected to take place on June 23. Up until now, state and federal judges, including Alabama Supreme Court justices, have rejected his appeals and denied stays of execution.