Lawyer: Pa. inmate spared from execution relieved

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Lawyers for a Pennsylvania death row inmate spared from execution Wednesday say he is relieved to learn his appeals will continue.

The state Supreme Court has effectively halted the execution of Terrance “Terry” Williams by denying an appeal by prosecutors.

Williams’ death warrant expires at midnight. The court will instead hear appeals of a judge’s finding that prosecutors hid evidence in Williams’ 1986 murder trial.

The 46-year-old Williams remains on death row at a state prison in Greene County, where his lawyers spoke with him by phone after the high court ruling Wednesday afternoon.

Lawyer Shawn Nolan says he was never moved to the Centre County prison where he would have been executed by lethal injection.

Williams says both men he killed as a teen had sexually abused him.