Execution Delayed Under New Clemency Rules.

According to The Washington Post, President Clinton delayed the federal execution of Juan Raul Garza, originally scheduled for Aug. 5, giving the Texas inmate's attorneys more time to argue for clemency. The delay of at least four months came about when Clinton signed an executive grant of clemency for Garza, which postpones the execution until at least Dec. 12.

The delay was possible when Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno approved new federal clemency regulations, which grant federal death row inmates and their victims the opportunity to make private oral presentations before the Justice Department's "pardon attorney" and to submit arguments in writing. The president still will make the final decision of whether an inmate should be executed.

The new guidelines allow a defendant facing the death penalty at least 120 days notice of his or her execution and 30 days to file a petition for commutation of the sentence. All other papers supporting commutation must be filed no later than 15 days after the petition is filed.