21.   A federal judge had refused to halt the execution, although he conceded Edmonds was denied his constitutional right to effective counsel during trial.

22.   Alexander was set to die last year but the execution was halted so more sophisticated DNA testing could be performed on evidence.

23.   Also Thursday, a national association of defense attorneys urged New Mexico to halt all executions.

24.   An appeals court judge had refused to halt the execution, although he conceded Edmonds was denied his constitutional right to effective counsel during trial.

25.   Amnesty International and the New York-based gay activist group Queer Watch had asked Holden to halt the execution.

26.   Bush has invoked his authority to temporarily halt an execution only once in his nearly six years in office.

27.   But Clinton did not address calls to halt federal executions.

28.   But the state Supreme Court halted the execution with four hours to go, saying it needed time to review whether the chair was cruel and unusual punishment.

29.   Charges of overthrowing the government carry the death penalty upon conviction, although Albania has halted executions recently.

30.   Dear said the case should boost a push to halt executions in North Carolina while the death penalty is studied.