The U.S. Supreme Court today on Thursday cleared the way for the second federal execution in 17 years to take place, overturning lower court injunctions.
The court’s decision allows the U.S. Justice Department to resume its plans to execute Wesley Purkey, a convicted murderer, over objections by his lawyers that he has dementia and no longer understands his punishment.
According to Reuters, Purkey, 68, was convicted in 2003 in Missouri of raping and murdering a 16-year-old girl before dumping her dismembered and burned remains in a septic pond.
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