EmailUPDATE:
The full Court has just now released an order denying Hammond's request for a delay in his execution.
Two hours ago Justice Thomas temporarily granted a delay in the execution "pending further order" of the Court. But at 10 45 the Court released an order saying that Thomas had referred the matter to the full Court, and the full Court decided to deny Hammond's request to delay his execution.
ABC News' Ariane de Vogue reports:
Tonight the Supreme Court issued a last minute stay of the execution of Emanuel Hammond a Georgia man accused of the murder of teacher Julie Love in 1988. Hammond's lawyers argued they wanted more time to investigate Georgia's supply of a lethal injection drug.
The lawyers say that because the drug–sodium thiopental–is in short supply in the US, states are relying on shady sources to get the drug. Hammond's lawyers claim Georgia ordered the drug from Dream Pharma– a London company based in a driving school and say they are unsure whether the drug is expired or even labeled properly. The only US manufacturer, Hospira, has announced it's halting production. Nearly all of the 39 states that permit lethal injection use sodium thiopental.