Execution Postponed Due To New DNA Evidence

The highest criminal court of Texas has postponed a convicted murderer’s execution due to new DNA testing that could show he’s innocent. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Monday put off the scheduled Wednesday execution of 49-year-old Henry Skinner because it is examining how changes in the state law on DNA testing requests affects cases like his. Skinner was convicted on the murders of his girlfriend and her two sons in their Pampa home on New Year’s Eve 1993. Prosecutors are contesting the new tests, saying courts already ruled against Skinner. They also claim that Skinner’s trial attorneys didn’t use the tests on evidence now sought by Skinner’s lawyers because they feared it would further damage their case.