RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Nearly ten years after viciously murdering two Richmond families, steps are now in place to execute convicted killer Ricky Javon Gray.
Tuesday Richmond's Federal Court of Appeals denied Gray's request to re-hear his case. After such a defeat, Virginia state law requires a convicted death row inmate to be executed within a matter of weeks.
According to procedures outlined in state law, Gray will be executed by March 8, 2016.
Only intervention by Virginia's governor or the U.S. Supreme Court can change the time frame, with the second week of February serving as the earliest the execution could take place.
Seven days after a defeat in the federal court of appeals, the court issues what is known as a mandate, initiating preparations for an execution.
After a mandate is issued, a hearing must be held within 10 days to pick an execution date. According to Virginia law, death by lethal injection or electric chair must then take place 30-60 days after the hearing.
Gray is now housed at Sussex State Prison, a half hour north of where death row ends in Virginia, at Greensville Correctional Center.
At least six citizens who are not Department of Correction employees must be present during an execution, with the method of death chosen by the inmate.
Alfredo R. Prieto was the last inmate put to death in Virginia, on Oct. 1, 2015.
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