Crazy capital developments in two states

Two states with scheduled executions for this week have had some crazy developments:

• In Ohio, as well covered by ODPI, it appears that Jerome Henderson had the good fortune of pulling the right Sixth Circuit panel for his stay application.  That panel, voting 2-1, granted a stay over the weekend, and today neither the full Sixth Circuit nor the Supreme Court bothered to undue it.  Thus, Henderson's execution will not go forward tomorrow (even though other Ohio defendants seemingly making similar claims were executed earlier this year).

• In Virginia, as detailed in this AP article, a defendant with a troubled mental history is supposed to be executed on Friday.  According to the article, "several of Walton's fellow death row inmates said his behavior is consistently bizarre, describing him as 'nuttier than a fruitcake,' 'crazy as a bed bug,' and 'a walking talking cukoo (sic) bird.'"

UPDATES:  As detailed in this AP report, Virginia "Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Monday postponed the execution of a man convicted of killing three neighbors to allow more time to review claims the condemned inmate is mentally retarded and insane." 

Also, this AP story provides more information about the stay in the Ohio capitl case.