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The Utah Supreme Court halted Ralph Menzies' execution, ordering a new competency hearing.

Menzies' vascular dementia raises questions about his competency for execution, the court ruled.

Menzies was convicted of kidnapping and murdering Maurine Hunsaker in 1986.

SALT LAKE CITY — Next week's firing squad execution of death row inmate Ralph Leroy Menzies will not happen because of a Utah Supreme Court ruling handed down Friday afternoon.

In a 5-0 vote, the state's high court announced that 3rd District Judge Matthew Bates erred by not allowing Menzies a new competency hearing.

"Menzies' vascular dementia and its progressive effects call into question whether he remains competent to be executed. We acknowledge that this uncertainty has ca

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