SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Supreme Court says it will rule Monday on a request by death penalty opponents to block the state’s first execution in 14 years.
The court’s decision is the last legal hurdle for twice-convicted murderer Gary Haugen’s request to waive his appeals. A Marion County judge has ordered that Haugen be executed by lethal injection on Dec. 6.
The Oregon Capital Resource Center asked the Supreme Court to block Haugen’s execution, arguing that the trial court improperly ignored a psychologist’s report suggesting Haugen may be incompetent. The group also argued that one of Haugen’s current lawyers has a conflict of interest because he represented Haugen at trial.
Haugen can cancel the execution at any time if he decides to appeal to the U.S. Supreme court.
