Court urged to reconsider death case appeal

A federal appeals court has overruled a district court judge and is asking the lower court to look again at the appeal of a man from El Salvador on Texas’ death row for the slayings of two Houston waitresses 15 years ago.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says a federal judge should review whether Walter Sorto, 39, should be granted money so a more complete IQ score for him can be obtained. His lawyers say he’s mentally impaired and ineligible for execution.

He’s one of two men condemned for the May 2002 abduction, rape and fatal shootings of Roxana Capulin, 24, and Maria Rangel, 38.