Appeals Court Blocks Mathis Execution

One of the two executions scheduled Wednesday in Texas was blocked when the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted a reprieve to Milton Mathis, 26, because he may be mentally retarded.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that it is unconstitutional to execute someone who is mentally incompetent. The appeals court said the original trial court should hear arguments regarding Mathis' mental state.

Mathis was sentenced in 1998 for a shooting spree in a Houston drug house that left two dead. He and Douglas Roberts, 42, both were scheduled to be executed Wednesday. Roberts' execution is still scheduled.

See Also:
Texas Court Blocks One of Two Executions Set for Wednesday

Background:
Two Texas Executions Scheduled