Beebe issues first execution proclamation as governor

Although he's been involved in plenty of executions as attorney general, yesterday Governor Beebe set the first Arkansas execution since being sworn in as governor in January. Terrick Nooner will be executed on September 18 for the robbery and execution-style murder of Scot Stobaugh, 22, who attended UALR and was doing laundry when he was shot and killed more than 14 years ago. Nooner previously requested an immediate execution, which was twice rejected by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

A lawsuit filed on behalf of Max Brantley, the Arkansas Times, and Society of Professional Journalists by the ACLU less than a week ago in federal court seeks to provide more public access to the execution process.

Here are articles on yesterday's proclamation:
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Arkansas News Bureau
Associated Press