State appeals ruling regarding death row inmate's competency

The state is appealing a judge's decision that an Ohio man is too mentally ill to be executed for killing his estranged wife and brother-in-law in a courtroom basement. Cuyahoga County Judge Stuart Friedman ruled that Abdul Awkal lacks the capacity to understand why the state intends to execute him. The execution of the 53-year-old Awkal is scheduled for Wednesday. County Prosecutor Bill Mason is appealing the judge's decision to the Eighth District Court of Appeals. In a separate request Monday, Mason asked the Ohio Supreme Court to order Friedman to set a new execution date for Awkal if he is eventually deemed competent to be put to death.