Inmate taken out of execution holding cell

The Associated Press
Published: July 31, 2008

MOBILE — Alabama prison officials are preparing to move Tommy Arthur out of a waiting cell near the state’s execution chamber at Holman Prison in Atmore.

But the reason his execution was halted by the Alabama Supreme Court is still not clear.

Prison system spokesman Brian Corbett says Arthur, who was set to die Thursday, will be returned to a regular death row cellblock now that his execution has been postponed.

The court was split 5-4 when it blocked the execution Wednesday evening. It gave no reason for its action.

Supreme Court Clerk Bob Esdale says the next step is for the court to issue an order giving directions on where Arthur’s case goes now. The court’s next conference is Monday, and any order would be issued at some point after that.