PHOENIX (AP) -- After a hastily convened hearing Wednesday morning, the Arizona Supreme Court lifted a temporary stay of execution and denies a motion to vacant or stay the execution of convicted rapist and killer Donald Beaty.
Wednesday's hearing stemmed from a motion filed by the defense on Tuesday. Beaty's lawyers argued that the state's plan announced Tuesday to replace one of three execution drugs presented an unconscionable rush that puts Beaty's rights at risk.
The prosecution disagreed and said there was no legal basis for the argument. State prosecutors' said Arizona law and its execution protocol allows drug changes. It also said Beaty's lawyers haven't demonstrated the replacement drug won't be effective and that he would suffer needlessly.
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Beaty, 56, was convicted in the 1984 rape and murder of Christy Ann Fornoff. The 13-year-old was killed while collecting on her newspaper route.
http://www.azfamily.com/news/High-court-stops-scheduled-execution-for-Ariz-inmate-122581139.html