The state Supreme Court has rejected a petition from condemned inmate Edward Hartman, whose attorney has taken her case to stop his execution to the U.S. Supreme Court. Lawyers for Edward Hartman had asked the state justices to stop the execution by injection, which is scheduled for 2 a-m Friday in Raleigh, and order a lower court to impose a life sentence. Defense lawyer Heather Wells says Hartman's legal team would appeal to the federal high court. The defense already has asked Governor Easley to grant executive clemency and convert the death sentence to life in prison. At issue is the defense contention that Hartman was unfairly treated during his trial because a prosecutor repeatedly referred to Hartman's homosexuality, which had nothing to do with the killing. Hartman's attorneys filed motions with the U.S. Supreme Court today, saying the death sentence should be vacated because of anti-gay bias. Hartman was sentenced to death for the 1993 killing of 77-year-old Herman Smith Jr. in the Pinetops community of Northampton County.
Condemned Inmate's Appeal Denied by State High Court
Hartman was sentenced to death for the 1993 killing of 77-year-old Herman Smith Jr. in the Pinetops community of Northampton County.
