SALEM, Ore. (AP) — A condemned inmate spared the death penalty is back in court Wednesday as he challenges a reprieve granted by Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber.
A Marion County judge is not expected to rule yet on convicted murderer Gary Haugen’s request, but he could decide whether to let the governor’s office join the case. The primary purpose of Wednesday’s hearing is to schedule future proceedings.
Haugen was convicted of two murders and voluntarily waived his appeals. He was scheduled to die by lethal injection last December before Kitzhaber granted a temporary reprieve for the rest of his term, saying Oregon’s death penalty system is unjust.
Haugen argues that the reprieve is invalid because he doesn’t accept it.
