Kentucky Supreme Court Approves Temporary Ban On Executions.

Ky. high court upholds ban on executions
By BRETT BARROUQUERE

Kentucky's execution chamber is at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville. LEXINGTON HERALD-LEADERBuy Photo

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A split Kentucky Supreme Court has upheld a judge's order halting all executions in the state.

The court, by a 5-2 vote on Thursday, left in place the lower court's order temporarily barring executions while an appeal by condemned inmate Gregory L. Wilson is pending.

The decision means that Kentucky won't be able to carry out an execution, despite having recently purchased enough of a key drug to carry out three lethal injections.

Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd issued the order in September as the state prepared to execute 54-year-old Wilson for the 1987 kidnapping, rape and murder of 36-year-old Debbie Pooley in northern Kentucky. Shepherd told attorneys on Monday that he's considering a final opinion in the case.

Read more: http://www.kentucky.com/2011/03/24/1682986/ky-high-court-upholds-ban-on-executions.html#ixzz1HX7o9HsV