Court Halts Execution

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(October 23, 2008)—A state appeals court late Thursday morning halted the execution of death row inmate Bobby Wayne Woods, 43, who was convicted of abducting, raping and killing his ex-girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter.

Woods was to have been executed Thursday evening in Huntsville.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, however, stopped the execution after Woods’ attorneys raised claims that the inmate is mentally retarded and ineligible for execution under U.S. Supreme Court standards.

Prosecutors said Woods raped Sarah Patterson and then abducted her and her 9-year-old brother Cody in 1997 from their home southwest of Fort Worth.

They say he beat the boy so violently that skull fragments later had to be removed from the youngster’s brain, and then left Cody for dead in a cemetery.

Then, they say, he slashed the girl’s throat.

Woods denied responsibility and blamed the death on a cousin who subsequently committed suicide.

Prosecutors convinced a jury otherwise.

Woods' trial was moved to Llano in Central Texas in 1998 because of extensive publicity in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Woods would have bee the second Texas prisoner executed this week and 13th this year.

Two more men face execution next week in the country's most active death penalty state.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Me on Oct 24, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Kill him.. that's what he deserves

Posted by: Marlin Location: Texas on Oct 24, 2008 at 09:39 AM
Mentally Retarded....okay. Did he know it was wrong to rape and kill? Yes. In that case, I don't care how "Mentally Retarded" he and his taxpayer paid lawyers claim he is. Give him the needle and bury what's left.

Posted by: william Location: waco on Oct 24, 2008 at 05:13 AM
When are we going to wake up and start holding judges, lawyers and parole boards accountable for their insanely assanine decisions??? He was found guilty, he should be allowed 30 days for an appeal, new evidence etc. Go back before the same judge and jury, if the coviction is upheld carry out the sentence the next day PERIOD.

Posted by: Gary Location: Killeen on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:52 PM
He's smart enough to still be alive 10 years after he was sentenced. That's not mental retardation. Now he is raping every taxpayer in Texas. He's smarter than the stupid judge that is aiding and abetting him in his crime. He should be executed TODAY. The judges should have to pay what it costs to house, feed, defend, provide medical support, and all other costs associated canceling his execution. Come to think about it, why is taxpayer-funded medical/care provided to Death Row Inmates at all? Talk about beating a dead horse!

Posted by: TEXASLEGAL on Oct 23, 2008 at 07:19 PM
You folks do realize that when Obami gets elected, him and his cronies will do their best to overturn any capital punishment? He will also try to do away with your right to own guns. He says he is for the 2nd ammendment but his votes say differnt. He voted to prosecute anyone that used a fire arm to protect themself in self defense. Check out his voting record.

Posted by: Joe Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Just classic example how our court system works these days. To many lawyers in this country. We need people with common sense to serve on the bench instead of a bunch of book worms who do not have glue when it comes to common sense.

Posted by: Nancy Location: Copperas Cove on Oct 23, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Just get it over with and fry him..........

Posted by: Da Kine Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 05:27 PM
This dude's mug gives me the heebee geebee's...looks as if he's already taking a dirt nap.

Posted by: I am HUNGRY TO Location: Still at Work on Oct 23, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Hey does this mean he gets another last meal on the taxpayers dollar?

Posted by: nj on Oct 23, 2008 at 04:58 PM
It breaks my heart and makes me sick, just get over with!! He needs to burn in hell with the other sickos Texas has rightfullly put to death before him.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 23, 2008 at 03:48 PM
suprem court they have no common sense

Posted by: Heart-Of-Texas Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 01:38 PM
It 'only' costs over $50,000 a year to keep him in Prison(got your moneys worth yet??)!!! Back-To-The-Future!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 23, 2008 at 01:35 PM
WHY??????????????????????

Posted by: me Location: here on Oct 23, 2008 at 01:16 PM
Oh great -- now claim "mental retardation" instead of the old "insane game". I have to agree: fry, inject -- whatever it takes -- and get this piece of trash (putting it politely) out of the Texas prison system and make room for one more

Posted by: Steve Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 01:11 PM
If we carried out the death penalty faster we might not have as many violent crimes as we do. Get on with it and fry him. They stay on death row for years and find ways to get out of the situation by saying they are MR.

Posted by: susiebw Location: Kempner on Oct 23, 2008 at 12:51 PM
He wasn't too retarded to blame it on someone else, so he knew what he was doing. What is wrong with the judges in the appeal court and what makes lawyers defend something so wicked?

Posted by: disgusted on Oct 23, 2008 at 12:50 PM
yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy would they suspend??????????????????

Posted by: Lori Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Yeah right, Mentally retarded - That sorry no good piece of trash needs to burn in hell. I think 10 years is long enough, Execute him already.

Posted by: MMH Location: BELTON on Oct 23, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Mentally ill is right! But not in the way they want people to think! If he did all they say he did, then he definitely is not mentally retarded! Lethal injection is too good for this monster! He should be electrocuted!!!!

Posted by: me Location: copperas cove on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:53 AM
Fry that sucker. He wasn't mentally retarded when he was killing those kids. Don't waste anymore money on him.

Posted by: Tex on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:24 AM
Most active deqath penalty State and yet we still have fools committing violent crimes.

Posted by: Me Location: Waco on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:15 AM
FRY HIM.

Posted by: Kim Location: Temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Head 'em up and mooooove 'em out!!!!

Posted by: Kay Location: Central Texas on Oct 23, 2008 at 10:04 AM
Good Lets Do It and Get It Over. We have already fed, clothed and given too much to this whorable person.

Posted by: William Location: Salado on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:59 AM
This Monster is as retarded as Einstein, anyone can fail an IQ test to make themselves appear to be retarded. Kill this idiot and get on with the others, we are wasting time and money leaving the walking dead there in Huntsville.

Posted by: Tina Location: belton on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:58 AM
Yeah right mentally retarded.. He knew exactly what he was doing... Kill him....

Posted by: me Location: temple on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:45 AM
he is soooooooooooo scary looking, freaky looking, ugh!!!!!!!!!!! he needs to fry for his actions---2 innocent children---nasty horrible person

Posted by: BD Location: Central, TX on Oct 23, 2008 at 09:40 AM
Why is this person still breathing? I can not beleive that we have wasted money keeping this scumbag alive this long. He rapes and kills an 11 year old girl & beats her brother. Shoot this sorry S. O. B. now...........

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