Killer argues old head injury reason to overturn death sentence

LITTLE ROCK - The Arkansas Supreme Court is considering whether to grant a new trial to Thomas Leo Springs, who was sentenced to be executed for stabbing his estranged wife to death at a Fort Smith intersection.

Springs says he has an old head injury, for which he was not examined before his trial.

Prosecutors say the defense did not follow through on having Springs tested for any effects lingering from the 30-year-old head injury. Springs' current lawyer says the trial judge should have intervened and ordered the examination.

Lawyers conducted oral arguments in the case Thursday and a ruling is pending from the high court.

Christina Springs was killed on Jan. 21, 2005, after her husband rammed a car in which his wife was a passenger, then stabbed her to death as she sat in the vehicle. The attack occurred at a busy Fort Smith intersection in front of numerous witnesses.

Information from: The Morning News, http://www.nwaonline.net/

A service of the Associated Press(AP)

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