Fourth Circuit grants stay of execution in Montgomery County case

The Richmond paper reports here ("Court puts hold on man's execution - Defense says lead trial attorney did not handle the case properly," 12/18/03) and the Roanoke paper reports here ("Appeals court grants stay of execution for murderer," 12/18/03) that the Fourth Circuit has granted a stay in the case of the man scheduled to be put to death on Thursday for murdering an octogenarian woman in Montgomery County.