Texas Execution On Hold Following Oklahoma Botched Lethal Injection

The botched execution of an Oklahoma inmate shuts down the death chamber in Texas.

A Texas killer is given a temporary reprieve.

The convicted Texas killer was supposed to be executed Tuesday, but now, Robert Campbell's attorneys plan to pursue two appeals, one claiming mental impairment and another that challenged the plan to use the lethal drugs.

Texas is known as the nation's busiest death chamber. For two years now, Texas has used a single drug, instead of the three-drug regimen used here in Oklahoma.

"She had a wedding coming up," said a relative. "She had a good job."

A now 41-year-old Campbell was set to die for killing a Houston bank teller in 1991.

Alexandra Rendon was kidnapped from a gas station, taken to a wooded area, raped, then told to run.

Campbell shot her in the back and left her to die.

"She had a bright future ahead of her, and what right would these people have to take her life," a relative said.

5/13/2014 Related Story: Texas Inmate Seeking Stay Cites Oklahoma Execution

The drug secrecy issue was pending before the U.S. Supreme Court when the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals halted Campbell's punishment about two-and-a-half hours prior to his scheduled execution.

"I would hope that the botched execution in Oklahoma would have an impact nationally and definitely in Texas," Dave Atwood, with the coalition to abolish the death penalty, said.

Oklahoma inmate Clayton Lockett's execution halted after more than 20 minutes, with Lockett unconscious and apparently writhing in pain.

"The drugs were not having the affect, so the doctor observed the line, and determined that the line blown," Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton said.

5/12/2014 Related Story: Texas Inmate Cites Oklahoma Ordeal To Stop His Execution

Lockett died minutes later of an apparent massive heart attack.

Campbell's attorney's appeal contends Campbell isn't mentally competent for execution.

A three-judge panel said Campbell and his attorneys have not had a fair opportunity to develop Campbell's claims of ineligibility for the death penalty.

They said Campbell must be given an opportunity.