Supreme Court Stays Execution of Texas Inmate Who Wants Preacher With Him, Agrees to Hear Appeal

A view of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, on June 28, 2021. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

The Supreme Court late on Sept. 8 granted a last-minute reprieve to a convicted murderer in Texas who wants his pastor physically by his side, touching him, and praying aloud for him at the time of his execution.

The case, Ramirez v. Collier, was filed with the Supreme Court on Sept. 7. The condemned man is John Henry Ramirez. The respondent is Bryan Collier, executive director of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.