Judge Delays Execution For Only Woman on Federal Death Row

Lisa Montgomery, on federal death row, received a stay from Judge Randolph Moss due to legal issues with the Justice Department's rescheduling of her execution. The Bureau of Prisons attempted to reschedule her execution to January 12th, but Moss vacated this order, siding with Montgomery's lawyers who argued it was illegal during a stay. The execution could be delayed until after Joe Biden's inauguration, potentially allowing him to halt it. Montgomery was convicted of a heinous crime in 2007, and her lawyers are seeking clemency, citing her mental illness and traumatic past.

How did the timeline of Montgomery's execution relate to the inauguration of Joe Biden?

What factors did Montgomery's lawyers cite in their motions to commute her sentence?