[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----OKLAHOMA

[Rick Halperin]

March 27


OKLAHOMA:

Execution date sought for 74-year-old death row inmate


A state appellate court is asked today to set an execution date for a
74-year-old death row inmate convicted of murdering his stepson more than
20 years ago.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson says he asked the Oklahoma Court of
Criminal Appeals to set the execution date for Pottawatomie County death
row inmate John Albert Boltz.

Boltz was convicted of the April 18th, 1984, murder of 23-year-old Doug
Kirby.

Kirby was stabbed 11 times after he confronted Boltz about threats Boltz
had made to Kirby's mother, Pat Kirby.

During his trial, Boltz argued he acted in self-defense. He said Kirby
came to his Pottawatomie County home to confront him.

Edmondson asked the appellate court to set the execution date within 60
days.

(source: KTEN News)