Judge grants motion, allows Kitzhaber to join Haugen death penalty case

KOIN:

A Marion County judge granted a motion Wednesday allowing Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber to join the death penalty case of inmate Gary Haugen. Haugen, a twice convicted murderer, was scheduled to die by lethal injection last December before Kitzhaber issued a moratorium on the death penalty during his term, citing that he was morally opposed to capital punishment. Last month, Gary Haugen asked for his death warrant to be re-issued, saying Kitzhaber's indefinite reprieve is unconstitutional.Wednesday’s motion now allows the governor to defend the validity of his reprieve. Meanwhile, Haugen’s attorneys have until May 18 to file briefings asking for the death warrant to be reissued. Both the state and governor have until June 4 to respond to those. The matter will then go before a judge at a hearing June 11. -- Kacey Montoya and Faris Tanyos contributed to this report.

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