Supreme Court Stays Harris’ Execution
The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an attempt by California authorities to speed up Death Row inmate Robert Alton Harris’ execution.
The justices, without comment or recorded dissent, left intact what amounts to a 60-day postponement of Harris’ execution granted Nov. 15 by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
State Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren had argued for the stay to be vacated.
The appeals court rejected a third federal court appeal from Harris last August, and on Nov. 8 turned down his request for a rehearing.
Harris then asked the appeals court to postpone the effect of its ruling so he could ask the Supreme Court to review his latest legal challenge. The appeals court granted the request.
Harris was convicted of kidnaping and killing two San Diego teen-agers in 1978. Harris came within hours of being put to death in April, 1990, before the justices issued a stay.
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