Policy

Appeal to Allow Execution of Penn. Inmate Denied

Won't take place as state court asks for more briefings

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Pennsylvania's top court has denied prosecutors' emergency petition in a death penalty appeal, meaning an inmate who claims the church deacon he killed had molested him will not be executed Wednesday.

The state Supreme Court has asked for more briefings in the case of Terrance "Terry" Williams, of Philadelphia.

A Philadelphia judge on Friday vacated Williams' death sentence, finding that prosecutors hid evidence of possible sexual abuse at his 1986 murder trial and granting him a new sentencing hearing.