Oklahoma appeals court denies execution stay requests

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma appeals court is denying a request for stays of execution requested by two death row inmates who are scheduled to die this month with a new three-drug procedure developed by the state.

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals issued an order Wednesday denying the stays sought by Charles Warner and Clayton Lockett.

Lawyers for the inmates contend the state has not provided adequate time for them to research the method of execution.

But the court said in its ruling that without an action pending in that court challenging the convictions or death sentences, the court “is without authority to issue stays of execution in this matter.”

Lockett is set to be executed April 22, and Warner on April 29.