Killer ‘should be spared execution’ as attorney's say he is delusional

The US Supreme Court was considering whether a Texas man who killed a city worker in 2005 should be spared from lethal injection, as his lawyers argued that a ban on executing mentally impaired prisoners should be extended to him.

Adam Ward’s attorneys say he is delusional and should not be put to death because of his mental illness.

His execution was set for after 6pm local time. If carried out, it would be the fifth execution this year in Texas and the ninth nationally.

Ward, 33, insists he was defending himself when he killed code enforcement officer Michael Walker, who was taking photos of junk piled outside the Ward family home in Commerce.

Evidence showed the 44-year-old Walker had a camera and cellphone but no weapon.

Ward said he believed city officials long conspired against him and his father, described in court filings as a hoarder who had been in conflict with the city for years.

Evidence showed the Ward family had been cited repeatedly for violating housing and zoning codes.

In their appeal to the high court, Ward’s attorneys contended his execution would be unconstitutional because of evolving sentiment against executing the mentally ill.