Georgia Murderer Faces Execution: William Earl Lynd, sentenced to death 18 years ago for the kidnap and murder of his ex-girlfriend, is scheduled for execution tonight as reported in this story by AP writer Shannon McCaffrey. Lynd will be the first murderer executed since last September, when the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to review the lethal injection process in the Kentucky case of Baze v. Rees, decided on April 16.

Update: The Georgia Supreme Court unanimously denied a stay this afternoon. Atlanta Journal-Constitution story here.

DC Sniper: AP reports that John Allen Muhammad has written a letter to prosecutors saying that he wants to drop his appeals, and he asks for their help against the efforts of his lawyers. They claim he is brain damaged.

Do capital defense lawyers oppose every attempt to "volunteer" and claim mental incapacity every time? It seems to happen with great regularity.