RICHMOND (AP) -- A federal appeals court panel will not block Wednesday's execution of a Virginia man who strangled two inmates and vowed to keep killing unless given the death penalty.
Former attorneys for 42-year-old Robert Gleason asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday to appoint them to his case so they can order a mental health evaluation. They argue Gleason wasn't competent to waive his appeals.
The court rejected the motion Tuesday. The attorneys can ask for a hearing of the full court or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Gleason is set to die by electrocution at 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Gleason was serving life in prison when he killed his cellmate in 2009. After threatening to kill again, he strangled another inmate as he awaited sentencing in 2010.
