LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ Attorneys for two death row inmates who were spared
from execution last year are asking Arkansas’ highest court to strike down a law
that gives the state’s prison director authority to determine whether they’re
mentally competent to be put to death.
The state Supreme Court heard appeals Thursday from convicted murderers Bruce
Ward and Jack Greene, who argue the law violates their constitutional rights.
Both inmates were granted stays last year so the court could hear their case.
Ward was one of eight inmates Arkansas planned to execute in April 2017. Ward
and three other inmates were granted stays. Greene was scheduled to be put to
death in November, but that was also halted.
Arkansas has no executions scheduled, and lacks two of the three drugs needed
for lethal injection.
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