Lawyer Request Delays Connecticut Execution
ENFIELD, Conn. (Reuters) - Connecticut prison officials postponed the execution early on Saturday of serial killer Michael Ross after his lawyer cited a conflict of interest and requested the last-minute delay.
The postponement was announced less than two hours before Ross was scheduled to die by lethal injection in what would have been the first execution in New England in 45 years.
Late on Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a stay of execution requested by Ross' father and cleared the way for the 2 a.m./0700 GMT execution.
Connecticut officials said they granted a two-day delay after a request by Ross' attorney, T.R. Paulding, whom Ross had hired to fight for his execution. The execution was rescheduled for 9 p.m./0200 GMT on Monday.
"All the legal impediments to the execution of Michael Ross have been lifted. However, the request by Attorney Paulding is a reasonable one and we have no choice but to honor it," said Christopher Morano, Connecticut's chief state's attorney.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal declined to discuss the conflict of interest, saying it was a matter between Ross and Paulding.