Convicted murderer gets a stay in Louisiana

February 12, 1981

A federal judge, saying that "I have no choice in the matter," granted a stay of execution to David Dene Martin, who was to die Friday in Louisiana's electric chair for the 1977 slaying of four people. Judge Jack M. Gordon, acting on a request filed by the Southern Prisoners Defense Committee, postponed the execution. No date was set for further proceedi ngs.