*Updated on May 15, 2013* A state district judge has formally withdrawn the May 21 execution date for Robert Pruett. A hearing will take place on June 3 regarding the DNA testing and to set a new date. Read more in the Austin Chronicle.
According to the Texas Tribune (“Execution for Prison Guard Murder Delayed for DNA Tests,” May 9, 2013), “State lawyers agreed Thursday to a 60-day reprieve for death row inmate Robert Pruett, who was scheduled for execution May 21, after the inmate filed a request for DNA testing, arguing it may prove his innocence in the 1999 stabbing of prison correctional officer Daniel Nagle.” The focus of the DNA test is a palm print found on a disciplinary write-up that was torn up and spread near Nagel’s body.
Read more from the Texas Tribune, including an earlier article about the case.
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In other case developments, today’s Austin Chronicle includes an update on legal appeals on behalf of Jeffrey Williams, who is scheduled to be executed on May 15, 2012. Read the article. Thanks to Steve Hall at StandDown Texas for posting.