U.S. seeks to vacate stay of execution for 2 inmates who had COVID-19
By
(0)
Jan. 13 (UPI) -- The Justice Department on Wednesday appealed a stay of execution issued for two men scheduled to die this week, one of whom also sought relief from the punishment because of intellectual disability.
Lawyers for the federal government asked the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to vacate a stay issued by a lower court Tuesday.
Advertisement
District Judge Tanya Chutkan of the District of Columbia blocked the executions of Corey Johnson on Thursday and Dustin Higgs on Friday because it's unclear how much COVID-19 may have damaged their lungs. Unless a higher court overturns her ruling, Chutkan's injunction is in effect though March 16.