Cop Killer Executed After 32 Years:  59 year old David Powell died by lethal injection yesterday for the 1978 murder of a 26-year-old Texas police officer.  As reported by AFP news,  Powell machine-gunned officer Ralph Ablanedo to death during a traffic stop.  While there was no question regarding Powell's guilt, his trial was overturned on appeal twice before his 1999 conviction was upheld.  An article by Chuck Lindell and Tony Plohetski in Monday's Austin American Statesman reports that anti-death penalty advocates claimed that Powell's good behavior in prison made his execution cruel and unusual punishment.  Officer Abanedo's 87-year-old mother, and his two sons, who were 5 and 1 when he was murdered, attended the execution.  Over 100 Austin police officers gathered outside the prison in memory of their murdered colleague. 

The Supreme Court's order denying a stay is here.  No dissent is noted. Justices Stevens and Breyer have previously expressed support for an excessive time claim.

Sex Offender Tries to Rape Counselor:  Habitual felon William Powell has been arrested for attempting to rape a counselor at a Bronx psychiatric center as reported by New York Daily News writers John Marzulli, Brendan Brosh and Rocco Parascandola.  The 6-foot-3, 230 lb. Powell, who served eight years for an attempted rape in 1996, forced his way into the victim's office, grabbed her by the neck and tried to pull down her pants before she managed to break away.  It was not immediately clear why Powell was at the clinic and the state Mental Health Office refused to comment.  Perhaps he was being rehabilitated.