Time is running out for Hubert Michael to be granted a stay of execution.
He is scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday night, and late Wednesday afternoon the state board of pardons denied his appeal.
Hubert Michael has until 9 a.m. Thursday to make one last final appeal. But the board of pardons Wednesday ruled unanimously he should be put to death for the murder of a 16-year-old girl nineteen years ago.
Through emotional testimony, the family of Trista Eng pleaded with the board of pardons to not let Hubert Michael put off justice once again.
Michael admitted to killing 16-year-old Trista in July 1993, kidnapping her and then raping her, shooting her three times and leaving her body in state game lands near Dillsburg. He's scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday at 7pm.
Attorneys for Michael presented a clinical social worker and a judge who says he has become close friends with Michael.
They argued because of his Asperger’s, Michael is so severely impaired that he could not comprehend the legal system and his choice to be executed.
But the four member executive board deliberated for just minutes before denying his last minute appeal.
District Attorney Tom Kearney says that after 19 years, its time for the Eng family to begin to get closure.
“I mean imagine living 19 years, justice is justice and they are entitled to closure,” York County District Attorney Kearney told us.
Michael can file a new appeal by 9 a.m., which would lead to another series of hearings on Thursday. Ultimately, Governor Corbett has the power to determine whether or not to continue with or halt the execution.
He is scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday night, and late Wednesday afternoon the state board of pardons denied his appeal.
Hubert Michael has until 9 a.m. Thursday to make one last final appeal. But the board of pardons Wednesday ruled unanimously he should be put to death for the murder of a 16-year-old girl nineteen years ago.
Through emotional testimony, the family of Trista Eng pleaded with the board of pardons to not let Hubert Michael put off justice once again.
Michael admitted to killing 16-year-old Trista in July 1993, kidnapping her and then raping her, shooting her three times and leaving her body in state game lands near Dillsburg. He's scheduled to die by lethal injection Thursday at 7pm.
Attorneys for Michael presented a clinical social worker and a judge who says he has become close friends with Michael.
They argued because of his Asperger’s, Michael is so severely impaired that he could not comprehend the legal system and his choice to be executed.
But the four member executive board deliberated for just minutes before denying his last minute appeal.
District Attorney Tom Kearney says that after 19 years, its time for the Eng family to begin to get closure.
“I mean imagine living 19 years, justice is justice and they are entitled to closure,” York County District Attorney Kearney told us.
Michael can file a new appeal by 9 a.m., which would lead to another series of hearings on Thursday. Ultimately, Governor Corbett has the power to determine whether or not to continue with or halt the execution.