Female inmate’s execution on hold; 2 more halted over COVID

TERRE HAUTE, IN (AP) — The U.S. government’s plans to carry out its first execution of a female inmate in nearly seven decades are on hold, and two other executions this week have been canceled because the inmates tested positive for COVID-19.

The three executions were to be the last before President-elect Joe Biden, an opponent of the federal death penalty, is sworn-in next week.

Lisa Montgomery faced execution Tuesday for killing 23-year-old Bobbie Jo Stinnett in the northwest Missouri town of Skidmore in 2004. But a judge on Monday found Montgomery was likely mentally ill and couldn’t comprehend she would be put to death.

A separate ruling Tuesday delays the executions of Corey Johnson and Dustin Higgs.