Texas Rejects Stay: Executes Mexican Man Who Raped and Killed Teenager

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A 38-year-old Mexican man has been executed in Texas for the rape-slaying of a San Antonio teenager after White House-backed appeals to spare him were rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Humberto Leal received lethal injection Thursday evening in Huntsville.

His punishment capped a flurry of appeals that argued he deserved additional court review of his case because authorities didn't tell him he could seek legal help from the Mexican government when he was arrested for the murder of 16-year-old Adria Sauceda in 1994.

President Barack Obama's administration had joined with Leal's attorneys, arguing a delay was warranted so legislation covering cases like his could work its way through Congress.

Lawyers for the state of Texas opposed the appeals, saying un-passed legislation was not law.

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