FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections shows a police mug shot of Vernon Madison, who is scheduled to be executed for the 1985 murder of Mobile police officer Julius Schulte on Thursday. Alabama is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let it proceed with this week's scheduled execution of the 67-year-old inmate whose lawyers say can no longer remember his crime. The Alabama attorney general's office told justices in a filing Monday that the state's high court last year ruled the execution could proceed and should do so again.
FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections shows a police mug shot of Vernon Madison, who is scheduled to be executed for the 1985 murder of Mobile police officer Julius Schulte on Thursday. Alabama is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let it proceed with this week's scheduled execution of the 67-year-old inmate whose lawyers say can no longer remember his crime. The Alabama attorney general's office told justices in a filing Monday that the state's high court last year ruled the execution could proceed and should do so again. Alabama Department of Corrections, via AP, File)
FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Alabama Department of Corrections shows a police mug shot of Vernon Madison, who is scheduled to be executed for the 1985 murder of Mobile police officer Julius Schulte on Thursday. Alabama is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to let it proceed with this week's scheduled execution of the 67-year-old inmate whose lawyers say can no longer remember his crime. The Alabama attorney general's office told justices in a filing Monday that the state's high court last year ruled the execution could proceed and should do so again. Alabama Department of Corrections, via AP, File)

National

AG: State will continue to pursue death sentence

The Associated Press

January 26, 2018 01:52 PM

ATMORE, Ala.

The Latest on the stayed execution of Vernon Madison (all times local):

12:30 p.m.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall says the state will continue to pursue a death sentence for an inmate convicted of killing a police officer in 1985.

Marshall said Friday that he was disappointed in the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to stay the execution of Vernon Madison since he had previously been ruled competent to face execution.

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The court delayed the Thursday execution that had been scheduled as it decides whether to review claims that strokes have left Madison incompetent and that his sentence was unconstitutional.

Madison was sentenced to death for killing Mobile Police Officer Julius Schulte.

Marshall said Madison committed "a cold blooded crime for which there is no doubt he is guilty."

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9:50 p.m.

The U.S. Supreme Court has delayed the execution of an Alabama inmate with dementia who lawyers say can't remember slaying a police officer.

The court issued a stay Thursday night to consider arguments from 67-year-old Vernon Madison's attorneys.

The decision came about two hours after Madison had been scheduled to be executed by lethal injection for the 1985 killing. His attorneys had argued that stroke-induced dementia has left Madison unable to remember killing the officer or understand his looming execution.

Madison was sentenced to death for killing Mobile Police Officer Julius Schulte, who had responded to a domestic disturbance call involving Madison.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch were opposed to the stay, according to the order issued Thursday evening.

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