Stay of execution for Jack Harold Jones

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has sent word to the Attorney General’s Office that a ruling regarding the stay of execution for Jack Harold Jones issued by Judge Leon Holmes will not be forthcoming before tonight’s scheduled execution. Governor Beebe has now ordered the Department of Correction to stop any additional preparations for the execution, pending further rulings and/or orders by the courts, citing a 1987 ruling by the 8th Circuit.