HUTCHINSON WARRANT: Second appeal and Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus filed
Jeffrey Hutchinson's execution is scheduled May 1. Here’s the latest on the litigation pending ahead of the scheduled execution.
Jeffrey Hutchinson’s execution is scheduled for May 1 at 6:00 p.m. (More here.) Here’s the latest on the litigation pending ahead of the scheduled execution.
Hutchinson’s Third Successive Postconviction Motion
Yesterday morning, Hutchinson, through his attorneys, filed his Reply Brief in support of his appeal of the circuit court’s denial of this third successive postconviction motion (filed in January). More on the motion here.
The briefing is now complete. The timing of the Court’s decision is unclear.
Also yesterday, Hutchinson filed a motion for stay of execution.
All of the filings for this case can be found on the Court’s docket (No. SC2025-0497) here.
Fourth Successive Postconviction Motion
On Sunday, April 13, Hutchinson filed his Notice of Appeal of the circuit court’s denial of his fourth successive postconviction motion (No. SC2025-0517). More on the motion here. The briefing schedule for this appeal is as follows:
Tuesday, April 15, at 3:00: initial brief due
Thursday, April 17, at 3:00: answer brief due
Monday, April 21, at 9:00 a.m.: reply brief due
Yesterday, Hutchinson filed a motion for stay of execution.
The motion argues that Hutchinson “is entitled to a stay so that this Court, the Supreme Court of the United States, and the lower federal courts may meaningfully consider his collateral appeals in that case.” The motion also states that he filed his Initial Brief with the motion, but it is not reflected on the docket as of this post.
All of the filings for this case can be found on the Court’s docket here.
Federal Litigation
Yesterday, the State filed its response to Hutchinson’s Rule 60(b) motion and emergency motion for stay. (More on that here.) Hutchinson’s reply is due by noon tomorrow, at which point the briefing will be closed.
Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
Yesterday, Hutchinson, through his attorneys, filed a petition for writ of habeas corpus.
The petition raises three claims:
The State’s response is due Thursday at 3:00 p.m. Then Hutchinson has until Monday at 9:00 a.m. to file his reply.
All of the filings for this case (No. SC 2025-0518) can be found on the Court’s docket here.
TFDP Prior Coverage of the Hutchinson Warrant
My thoughts are with everyone involved in the warrant- and execution-related process.
Thank you for continuing to break down these complex and often overlooked legal proceedings with such clarity and care. Your ability to lay out each step—especially in such high-stakes cases—is invaluable for those of us trying to understand the full picture. I can only imagine the emotional toll this work takes, but I’m grateful you keep showing up with compassion and precision. Thinking of everyone impacted by this process.