NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - State Asks For Execution Date For Death Row Inmate

State Asks For Execution Date For Death Row Inmate

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The state has asked the Tennessee Supreme Court to set an execution date for a death row inmate convicted of killing an elderly couple.

The state's motion filed Friday would be the first request to move forward with an execution after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Kentucky's use of lethal injection executions in April.

Steve Henley was convicted of the murder of Fred and Edna Stafford, 64 and 67, at their rural farm house near Gainesboro in 1986.

He was also convicted of setting fire to the couple's home while Edna Stafford was still alive inside.

The U.S. Supreme Court in June declined to hear his appeal based on ineffective counsel during the sentencing portion of his trial.

Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper said Henley has completed his three-tier appeals process, which is required before an execution date can be set.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)