Supreme Court rejects Alabama death row appeal

In this photo provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections, Tommy Arthur in a mugshot taken at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala. The Supreme Court is freeing Alabama to try again to execute a convicted killer who has been on death row for more than 30 years.
The justices on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, turned down an appeal from inmate Tommy Arthur. In November, the court blocked Arthur's execution as he waited in a holding cell outside the state's execution chamber. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP) — In this photo provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections, Tommy Arthur in a mugshot taken at the Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore, Ala. The Supreme Court is freeing Alabama to try again to execute a convicted killer who has been on death row for more than 30 years. The justices on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017, turned down an appeal from inmate Tommy Arthur. In November, the court blocked Arthur's execution as he waited in a holding cell outside the state's execution chamber. (Alabama Department of Corrections via AP)

By Associated Press February 21, 2017 2 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Supreme Court is freeing Alabama to try again to execute a convicted killer who has been on death row for more than 30 years.

The justices on Tuesday turned down an appeal from inmate Tommy Arthur. In November, the court blocked Arthur’s execution as he waited in a holding cell outside the state’s execution chamber.

Chief Justice John Roberts voted to halt the execution, but said Arthur’s appeal “does not merit the court’s review.”

Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer said they would have heard Arthur’s appeal.

The effect of Tuesday’s action is to allow the state to try again to put Arthur to death by lethal injection.