Inmate will be re-evaluated by state doctor after execution stay

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ A judge has decided to let prosecutors challenge a medical opinion that caused an Oklahoma man's execution to be stayed. <br/><br/>Pittsburg County District Attorney says Garry

Saturday, July 30th 2005, 9:18 pm

By: News On 6

McALESTER, Okla. (AP) _ A judge has decided to let prosecutors challenge a medical opinion that caused an Oklahoma man's execution to be stayed.

Pittsburg County District Attorney says Garry Thomas Allen will be evaluated by a doctor hired by the state. Allen was convicted of murder in the 1986 shooting death of Lawanna Gail Titsworth.

He was scheduled to be executed in May, but a judge ordered a stay when a doctor reported that Allen had dementia caused by seizures, substance abuse and being shot in the face.

The doctor's report also claimed Allen has a tenth grade education, a ``grossly impaired'' short-term memory and an I-Q of 96. The U-S Supreme Court and state law prohibit the execution of inmates who are insane or mentally incompetent.

If a jury rules that Allen is competent, a new execution date will be set.