Death row adviser sues to delay July 15 execution

A Zen Buddhist priest, who’s a spiritual adviser to one of three federal death row inmates scheduled to be executed this month, filed a lawsuit Thursday arguing the Bureau of Prisons is putting him at risk for the coronavirus by moving forward with executions during the pandemic.

Dale Hartkemeyer, who goes by the religious name Seigen, argues that he would be putting his life at risk if the federal government proceeds to execute Wesley Ira Purkey as scheduled July 15, because of Hartkemeyer’s prior medical conditions including respiratory issues.

The 68-year-old is asking a federal judge to delay Purkey’s execution until a coronavirus vaccine is available or there’s an effective treatment.