Keating issues stay of execution for Fields

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A convicted killer won a stay of execution Tuesday. <br><br>Governor Keating says he's issuing the stay for Bobby Joe Fields because he doesn't have enough time to consider

Tuesday, January 7th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A convicted killer won a stay of execution Tuesday.

Governor Keating says he's issuing the stay for Bobby Joe Fields because he doesn't have enough time to consider a clemency recommendation.

The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is recommending clemency for Fields, asking Keating to commute his sentence from death to life in prison.

Fields is to be put to death next Tuesday. Keating leaves office on Monday and says there isn't enough time for him to carefully and deliberately review case.

Keating says he'll give all pertinent information to Governor-elect Brad Henry's transition team.

Fields pleaded guilty in 1994 to killing Louise Schem while trying to rob her home.

Court records say Schem was armed with a pistol and confronted Fields and the two wrestled for the gun.

Fields attorney says the gun accidentally fired during the struggle, hitting Schem in the back of the head and killing her.

Prosecutors argued during trial that Fields took the gun from Schem and shot her as she tried to run away.