Delaware execution will take place

Convicted murderer Shannon Johnson will be executed Friday morning as scheduled.

The Third Circuit Federal Appeals Court in Philadelphia overturned a stay of execution put in place Wednesday by U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Sleet. Johnson did not want to stop his execution. Attorney’s for Johnson’s sister had asked for the stay saying Johnson was not mentally competent.

Johnson was sentenced to death in 2008 for the killing of Cameron Hamlin in September 2006. Hamlin was with Johnson’s ex-wife who was also shot and wounded at that time.

Prison officials spent the day preparing for the execution, even though it was unclear when the appeals court would rule. Sleet had asked attorneys for both sides to prepare arguments for a 10 a.m. Monday hearing. An appeal had even been made to Governor Jack Markell, who did not make a comment on the case.

The state corrections department had even made a list of eyewitnesses who would be present at the execution. Hamlin’s father went on WDEL radio Thursday to say he hoped the execution would be carried out.

Johnson will be executed by lethal injection. That has been the official Delaware method of execution