Supreme Court halts Texas execution over inmate's request for hands-on final prayer

Huntsville, Texas, prison
(Image credit: Chantal Valery/AFP/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court issued a rare stay of execution on Wednesday night, blocking Texas from executing convicted murderer John Henry Ramirez until the justices can hear his argument he has a constitutional right to have his pastor lay hands on him and pray out loud as he is put to death. Texas had denied his request and lower courts had sided with Texas. The Supreme Court said it will hear oral arguments in the case in October or November.

This is the third time in recent years that the Supreme Court has halted a Texas execution over questions of spiritual advisers in the death chamber.

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Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.