STATE : Appeals Court Pushes Forward Harris’ Execution Hearing Date

SAN FRANCISCO — The federal appeals court that blocked the execution of condemned killer Robert Alton Harris granted Atty. Gen. John K. Van de Kamp’s request to speed up its normal schedule for the case, ordering today that oral arguments be given May 14 in his new appeal.

Harris’ lawyers, who normally would have 45 days for their first written arguments, must present them to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals by April 13. There is no deadline for the court’s ruling, however.

Harris, 37, came within 12 hours of his 3 a.m. execution today, ordering his last meal before word arrived at the prison that the U.S. Supreme Court had rejected California’s bid to execute Harris.

The three-judge panel will include Judge John T. Noonan, who originally issued the stay of execution Friday that was upheld by the high court Monday afternoon.