Alabama inmate seeking to avoid eighth execution date given temporary reprieve

In a two-sentence order, the court issued a temporary stay for the execution of Tommy Arthur, with the action announced less than an hour before he was scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection at 6 p.m. CDT (2300 GMT) in Atmore, Alabama.Alabama was still planning for the execution to be held on Thursday night, Department of Corrections spokesman Bob Horton said.Three juries have found him guilty of shooting Troy Wicker to death as he slept.