Rapist who killed teen and bludgeoned 80-year-old with polio has execution halted over mental illness
THE execution of a rapist who killed a teenager and bludgeoned an 80-year-old with polio has been halted.
Wesley Ira Purkey, 68 was due to be put to death at an penitentiary on Wednesday but a judge stopped it, citing his state of mind.
His lawyers reportedly argued that due to his advancing Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and delusions, he wouldn't understand the punishment.
Purkey has been on death row for nearly 20 years after he was convicted of the rape and murder of Jennifer Long, 16, in on November 3, 2003.
Purkey also convicted of using a claw hammer to batter a woman, 80, who had polio and had to use a cane to get around in a state court case.
The City criminal was granted a preliminary injunction by District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan, which delays his death.
In her ruling, Chutkan said “at least one of plaintiffs’ claims has a likelihood of success on the merits, and that absent a preliminary injunction, plaintiffs will suffer irreparable harm."
But the Department of Justice has appealed Chutkan's order in Terre Haute, according to
Purkey's death would have been the second federal execution there in 17 years.
After raping Long in his basement, Purkey then dismembered the teen's body using an electric chainsaw, burned her remains, and dumped them in a septic pond.
A Missouri jury found him guilty of kidnapping a child and causing her death.
Purkey was sentenced to death – but mental health groups rallied against in execution before Chutkan's ruling.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and Mental Health America penned an to Attorney General calling on him to commute Purkey's execution on July 9.
"Mr. Purkey’s multiple and progressive mental and neurological conditions raise serious doubt about whether he comprehends the purpose of his execution," it read.
"We therefore strongly urge the federal government to not proceed with his execution and instead commute Wesley Purkey’s sentence to life without parole.
The news comes after Barr directed the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to of four federal death-row inmates last month.
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These men – including Purkey – were convicted of murdering children and in two cases, raping them.
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