HUNTSVILLE, Texas — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has granted a stay of execution for a Smith County man in response to the COVID-19 (cornavirus) outbreak.
According to the order, the court "determined that the execution should be stayed at the present time in light of the current health crisis and the enormous resources needed to address that emergency," in regards to the case of Tracy Beatty.
Beatty was convicted of killing his 62-year-old mother, Carolyn Ruth Clark, burying her in the backyard, using her credit cards and draining her bank accounts. The crimes occurred in November 2003.
"He had been to the penitentiary and was out at one point in time, then he brutally assaulted her, his parole was revoked, and he was sent back to the penitentiary," Smith County Sheriff's Office Major Mike Lusk said at the time of his trial. "We have some indication that was part of his motive."
Beatty's execution was scheduled for March 25, but has been stayed for 60 days. According to the court, the stay will be automatically lifted upon expiration of that time.
