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Judges Denies Execution Stay Request

Kealey Bultena
/
SDPB

A federal judge won't stay the execution of a confessed child killer who's scheduled to die next week. A woman who knows death row inmate Donald Moeller filed paperwork Friday asking the district court to delay the execution and examine Moeller's compentency.

Earlier this month, Donald Moeller asked a federal judge to throw out the only appeal that could have delayed his execution. The judge granted his request.

Just more than a week before his lethal injection, though, a woman claiming to be Moeller's friend filed paperwork requesting a stay of execution. Tuesday Judge Lawrence Piersol denied that motion.

Donald Moeller's lethal injection is set for sometime next week and could happen as early as Sunday.

Attorney General Marty Jackley says a Notice of Appeal has been filed on Moeller's behalf with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Moeller himself reiterated in federal court Monday that he does not want to delay his lethal injection.

Kealey Bultena grew up in South Dakota, where her grandparents took advantage of the state’s agriculture at nap time, tricking her into car rides to “go see cows.” Rarely did she stay awake long enough to see the livestock, but now she writes stories about the animals – and the legislature and education and much more. Kealey worked in television for four years while attending the University of South Dakota. She started interning with South Dakota Public Broadcasting in September 2010 and accepted a position with television in 2011. Now Kealey is the radio news producer stationed in Sioux Falls. As a multi-media journalist, Kealey prides herself on the diversity of the stories she tells and the impact her work has on people across the state. Kealey is always searching for new ideas. Let her know of a great story! Find her on Facebook and twitter (@KealeySDPB).
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