Story Published:
Nov 10, 2009 at 2:36 PM CST
Story Updated:
Nov 10, 2009 at 5:35 PM CST
ST. LOUIS -- A decision by a federal appeals court panel has moved the State of Missouri closer to resuming executions. A group of condemned prisoners in Missouri on Tuesday lost an appeal that had stopped executions temporarily in the state.
Later Tuesday, a spokeswoman for the Missouri Supreme Court says it will not schedule any executions at least until the federal courts reach a final decision in the case.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the death row inmates' argument that past hiring of incompetent or unqualified members of Missouri's execution team posed constitutional problems. The appeals court said it cannot assume Missouri plans to employ medical personnel who aren't qualified for their job.
The opinion confirms last year's ruling by a U.S. District Court
judge in Kansas City. A defense attorney says an appeal is under consideration.
