The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a federal judge in Pittsburgh must hold a mental competency hearing for an Altoona man who has sought execution after failing to overturn a conviction of killing his estranged girlfriend's husband on Thanksgiving Day in 1998.

Public defenders for William Wright III claim he isn't mentally competent, but Blair County District Attorney Richard Consiglio believes Mr. Wright is sane and should be executed if he wishes.

Mr. Wright filed court papers last year saying he was tired of appeal delays and asked the governor to sign his death warrant.

The appeals court ruling on Wednesday rejected Mr. Wright's request that his execution be allowed to proceed.

U.S. District Judge David Cercone must now schedule the competency hearing.

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