News Brief — Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Stays Third Execution Amidst Coronavirus Concerns

NEWS (4/1/20) — Texas: The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has granted a 60-day stay of execution to Fabian Hernandez, the third stay of execution it has granted during the coronavirus State of Disaster declared by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Although the court’s order doesn’t specify a reason for the stay, Hernandez’s counsel filed a motion seeking to delay his execution based on “the current health crisis, the enormous resources needed to address the emergency,” and counsel’s inability to provide meaningful representation at this time.

Texas had scheduled Hernandez’s execution for April 23. In March, the Texas appeals court granted 60-day stays of execution to John Hummel and Tracy Beatty, citing “the current health crisis and the enormous resources needed to address that emergency.”