Reprieve for Alabama death row inmate requesting pastor

Willie B Smith III's lethal injection was called off after the US supreme court says state cannot proceed without pastor present

An Alabama inmate won a reprieve from a planned lethal injection after the US supreme court said the state must allow his personal pastor in the death chamber.

Thursday's scheduled execution of Willie B Smith III was called off by Alabama officials after the justices maintained an injunction issued by the 11th US circuit court of appeals, saying he could not be executed without his pastor present in chamber.