A death row inmate in the US has reportedly won a temporary delay to his execution, as the US Supreme Court decide whether to issue a stay.
Davis was convicted of the 1989 killing of police officer Mark MacPhail in Savannah, Georgia.
His case has become a focus for campaigners because seven of nine trial witnesses have recanted their testimony.
Davis was due to be lethally injected this evening at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson.
But his case is now being considered by the US Supreme Court, who have put a temporary delay on the execution while they consider their decision.
Crowds outside the Jackson, Georgia prison erupted with cheers shortly after the scheduled 7:00 pm time for his lethal injection to begin upon rumours that the Supreme Court had stayed the execution.
But joy turned to confusion as it emerged that there had been no such reprieve and Davis’s lawyer said that the state of Georgia was simply delaying the execution until the final decision had been announced.
‘We have asked US Supreme Court for a stay. They are still deciding.
‘Until they decide, the prison is delaying out of respect for the court. There is no deadline, but prison won’t wait forever,’ Davis said.