The man's lawyers have argued that their client is unable to understand why he was convicted and sentenced to death.
Murderer Scott Panetti will be executed by lethal injection on December 3, according to a report from The Associated Press. The execution order was signed by a Gillespie County judge this week.
WTAQ reports that Panetti shot to death his in-laws at their residence in Fredericksburg, Texas, more than two decades ago.
The 56 year old’s lawyers have argued that their client, who has a history of mental issues, is unable to understand why he was convicted and sentenced to death.
According to The AP, Panetti decided to represent himself at his 1995 trial. He also wanted to subpoena Jesus Christ and John F. Kennedy to serve as witnesses to his crime.
WTAQ adds that Panetti’s case has been to the U.S. Supreme Court several times, but the justices have refused to review his latest appeal.
“Scott Panetti is not competent for execution and therefore his execution would serve no retributive purpose,” Panetti’s attorney Greg Wiercioch told The AP Thursday. “It is unfortunate that an execution date has been set.”
“He has a fixed delusion that Satan, working through the state of Texas, is seeking to execute him for preaching the Gospel. His execution would be a miserable spectacle,” Wiercioch added.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Panetti is the 11th inmate added to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s 2014 execution list.
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