Eric Nance has several appeals pending as he approaches execution

VARNER, Ark. (AP) _ Lawyers for condemned killer Eric Nance are still hoping that court filings will put a halt to Nance's scheduled execution tonight in Arkansas. <br/><br/>Nance has also been convicted

Monday, November 28th 2005, 2:27 pm

By: News On 6

VARNER, Ark. (AP) _ Lawyers for condemned killer Eric Nance are still hoping that court filings will put a halt to Nance's scheduled execution tonight in Arkansas.

Nance has also been convicted of rape in Oklahoma.

Nance's federal public defenders are asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to let it take over his state appeals. The lawyers also are arguing to the Eighth US Circuit Court of Appeals on two different points.

They say Nance is mentally retarded and further DNA testing should be done on a hair found in Nance's truck.

Nance was convicted and sentenced to die for killing 18-year-old truck Julie Heath of Malvern in 1993.