The Nation : Court Blocks Executions

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court blocked next week’s scheduled executions of a police officer’s killer and his accomplice, who were to be the first people executed in the state in 23 years. John Lesko, 27, of Pittsburgh, and Michael Travaglia, 27, of Apollo, were to be put to death at Rockview prison. The court stayed the executions pending appeals before a lower appellate court. The men were convicted in the slayings of four people, including a rookie Apollo police officer, in a crime spree nearly six years ago.