Stay of execution issued in Hubert Michael case

(Harrisburg) -- A federal appeals court is preventing the execution of a Pennsylvania inmate convicted of shooting to death a teen girl in York County 1993.

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has sent the case of Hubert Lester Michael Jr. back to a district court judge for additional proceedings.

Michael had been hours away from being put to death by lethal injection for the killing of Trista Eng.

He would have been the fourth person executed in the state in the past 50 years.

His lawyer Shawn Nolan says defense lawyers plan to issue a statement later.

UPDATE:

Defense attorneys are welcoming the decision by a federal appeals court.

Lawyers for Hubert Michael Jr. issued a brief statement today that said there are ``compelling legal claims which have never been reviewed by any court.''

The state attorney general's office is declining comment.

*This story was updated 11/8/12  2:19 p.m.