DALLAS (AP) - A convicted murderer described by his lawyers as mentally incompetent has been granted a stay by the state's highest criminal court.
Marcus Druery was to be executed Aug. 1, but the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled Friday that it needed to review a motion Druery filed earlier this month on whether he was mentally competent.
Druery was condemned for the 2002 shooting and robbery of 20-year-old Skyyler Browne at Druery's family property in rural Brazos County. Druery's advocates say he has a psychotic disorder and executing him would violate the U.S. Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
An attorney for Druery says she's pleased with the court's decision.
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