April 26: The Supreme Court declines to hear Steven Oken’s appeal of a Maryland Court of Appeals decision. Within hours, a Baltimore County circuit judge signs a death warrant scheduling Oken’s execution for the week of June 14.
June 2: A Baltimore County judge dismisses Oken’s lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s lethal injection process, and denies Oken’s motion claiming disparities between the execution method and state law.
June 9: The Maryland Court of Appeals denies Oken’s request that his execution be delayed to allow him to pursue his legal challenge to Maryland’s lethal injection method.
June 11: A Baltimore County judge denies a motion to delay Oken’s execution on the grounds that he received ineffective representation at his 1991 trial.
June 14: The Court of Appeals denies another request by Oken for a stay of execution, based on his claim that he received ineffective counsel at trial.
June 15: U.S. District Judge Peter J. Messitte issues an indefinite stay of execution, saying the state did not provide Oken with details of its execution procedure in a timely manner, and sets a July 19 hearing. Attorneys from the state appeal the decision.
June 16: A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit upholds Messitte’s ruling. Attorneys from the state file an appeal with the Supreme Court.
June 16: The Supreme Court lifts the stay of execution.
