SALEM, Ore., May 14 (UPI) -- A killer in Oregon is fighting his own lawyers' attempts to delay his execution as "cruel and unusual punishment."
Gary Haugen told Marion County Circuit Judge Joseph Guimond in Salem Friday, "This is my life we're talking about. I've got a lot of things to prepare for and I'm cool with it," The (Portland) Oregonian reported.
Haugen's lawyers are seeking a 90-day delay to assess his mental competency to stop fighting for his life, but he said, "I think it's cruel and unusual punishment that counsel continues to give delays."
Guimond set a hearing for Wednesday to establish Haugen's competency to waive his appeals. The state wants the judge to set a July 28 execution, Oregon's first in 14 years.
Haugen, 49, has been in prison since he raped and murdered his ex-girlfriend's mother in 1981. He was sentenced to death for killing another prisoner in 2007.
Haugen attorney, Andy Simrin, argued Friday that he has wavered on dropping his appeals.
A neuropsychologist who evaluated Haugen May 9 found he has attention deficit disorder and fetal alcohol syndrome, Simrin said.
