Missouri death row inmate’s attorneys ask supreme court to block execution

Petition argues that Brian Dorsey is fully rehabilitated and that execution would violate eighth amendment

Attorneys for a Missouri death row inmate have asked the US supreme court to block an execution sentence from going ahead on Tuesday, following a petition for clemency from more than 70 correctional officers and a letter from the inmate's appeals court judge.

The petition - a writ of certiorari - asks the court to spare Brian Dorsey's life in favor of a life-without-parole sentence based on grounds that he is fully rehabilitated and therefore execution would be counter to the eighth amendment constitutional ban against punishments which serve no deterrent or rehabilitation purpose.