US Supreme Court halts execution of Texas convict

The US Supreme Court has halted the execution of a black man convicted of a double murder in Texas 16 years ago after his lawyers contended his sentence was unfair because of a question asked about race during his trial.

Duane Buck’s lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court and Texas Governor Rick Perry to block the execution, saying a psychologist testified that black people were more likely to commit violence.

Mr Perry, a capital punishment supporter and frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, seemed unlikely to block the execution.

During his 11 years in office, 235 convicted killers in Texas have been put to death. His office said he has chosen to halt just four executions, including one for a woman who later was executed.

But Buck, 48, was spared from lethal injection by the Supreme Court today when the justices said they would review an appeal in his case.

Two appeals, both related to a psychologist’s testimony that black people were more likely to commit violence, were before the court. One was granted; the other was denied.

Buck was sentenced to death for the fatal shootings of his ex-girlfriend and a man in her apartment in July 1995. Buck’s guilt is not being questioned, but his lawyers say the jury was unfairly influenced and that he should receive a new sentencing hearing.

His lawyers called to tell Buck of the reprieve and the inmate was praying in his cell when Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark approached.

“Praise the Lord!” Buck told Clark. “God is worthy to be praised. God’s mercy triumphs over judgment. I feel good.”