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Texas Woman's Execution Halted; DA Won't Appeal


Dallas County prosecutors say they aren't appealing a state judge's decision to halt the scheduled Tuesday evening execution of a Texas woman.

She would have been the first woman put to death in the U.S. since 2010.

State District Judge Larry Mitchell issued a reprieve for 51-year-old Kimberly McCarthy less than five hours before she could have been taken to the death chamber for the 1997 slaying of a neighbor.

Authorities say McCarthy went to Dorothy Booth's home to borrow a cup of sugar, then attacked her with a knife and candle holder and stole her wedding ring.

Dallas County Assistant District Attorney Shelly Yeatts says McCarthy's execution date now is April 3.

McCarthy's lawyers contend the jury that convicted her of murder was improperly selected on the basis of race. McCarthy is black. Her jury was made up of 11 whites and one black person.

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