By Andrew Welsh-Huggins
The Associated Press
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s governor has granted a condemned killer a two-week reprieve to allow a court to conduct a hearing on his mental competency.
Tuesday evening’s reprieve by Republican Gov. John Kasich temporarily spares Abdul Awkal, who was convicted in the slayings of his estranged wife and brother-in-law at a Cleveland courthouse.
Awkal was facing execution within 18 hours when Kasich made his announcement.
Kasich says he ordered the reprieve to allow a Cuyahoga County judge enough time to hold a hearing on Awkal’s mental condition. The judge ruled Monday there was evidence to believe Awkal wasn’t competent enough to be executed.
Awkal’s lawyers say he believes the CIA is orchestrating his execution and he lives in a fantasy world.