Judge: Ariz. death-row inmate entitled to hearing
Web Producer: Marissa Pasquet
PHOENIX (AP) - An Arizona judge says a death-row inmate facing execution Wednesday is entitled to a hearing on whether the inmate is being denied a fair shot at a clemency hearing.
Judge Joseph Kraemer of Maricopa County Superior Court says he can't delay the execution of Samuel Villegas Lopez.
But lawyers for Lopez say they'll use Kraemer's decision to schedule a July hearing as the basis for a request asking the Arizona Supreme Court to stop the execution.
Kraemer says the inmate's attorneys have raised serious questions about whether the five-member Board of Executive Clemency is legally constituted.
Kraemer says a main issue for the hearing is whether newly appointed board members needed to complete four weeks of required training before beginning to hear clemency requests.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.