CT Supreme Court rules Ross competent to end appeals; execution set for Friday News
CT Supreme Court rules Ross competent to end appeals; execution set for Friday

[JURIST] The Connecticut Supreme Court late Monday night ruled that convicted serial killer Michael Ross [advocacy website] was competent to end his death-row appeals [JURIST report], leaving the way open for him to be executed by lethal injection this Friday at 2 AM. Ross is convicted of raping and murdering eight women in Connecticut and New York in the 1980s. The Court affirmed a lower court ruling [JURIST report], rejecting contentions that he overswayed by a narcissism that does not allow him to change his mind after making a decision. Ross will be New England's first execution in 45 years after Connecticut lawmakers recently upheld the state's death penalty [JURIST report]. Despite the latest court ruling, there may still be a delay of execution, as Ross sister Donna Dunham attempts to file an appeal on his behalf citing reasons of mental incompetency following similar attempts made by Ross' father and public defenders. AP has more.

Previously on JURIST:

1:52 PM ET: – Rockville Superior Court Judge Jonathan Kaplan ruled Tuesday that Ross' sister, Donna Dunham, does not have standing to file for appeals on his behalf. AP has more.

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