NEW ALBANY, Miss. — A judge has ruled that a man on Mississippi’s death row who says he killed his wife can give up all future appeals and request an execution date.
Union County Circuit Judge Kent Smith issued a ruling Thursday in the case of 50-year-old David Neal Cox. Smith wrote that Cox is competent to waive all appeals.
Cox had written letters saying he killed his wife and would do so again if he had the chance. Smith held a competency hearing in February that included testimony by Cox and mental health experts.
It will be up to state officials to set an execution date.