British woman on death row loses appeal

A British woman on death row in Texas has lost a federal appeal, moving her closer to execution for the abduction and death of a woman whose child she had also snatched eight years ago.

The court today rejected arguments from Linda Carty that her trial lawyers were deficient and she still had appeals issues she should be able to raise in state courts.

Carty is one of 10 condemned women in Texas. She is a former teacher from St Kitts in the British Virgin Islands.

Her lawyers could take her case to the US Supreme Court. The British Foreign Office said it was conferring with its legal advisers.

Last week a taped voice recording of Carty begging the British public to help save her life was broadcast from the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square, London.