Friday’s execution of convicted killer Shannon Johnson has been delayed by a federal judge despite his wishes that no further appeals be made on his behalf.
U.S. Chief District Judge Gregory Sleet issued the order this morning to give himself more time to review the appeal by the Federal Public Defender’s office seeking to halt the lethal injection sentence.
Delaware state prosecutors and Johnson’s attorney both objected and raised questions about the last-minute filing by federal defenders.
But Sleet said it was unreasonable not to take more time so that due process is carried out.
The prosecutors told the Judge that they are likely to appeal his decision to the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals today to overturn Sleet’s stay of the execution.
