Death row inmate gets court OK to drop appeals



A federal appeals court has granted a condemned Texas inmate's request to
drop his appeals and proceed with his execution for the slaying of an
84-year-old East Texas woman more than 9 years ago.

29-year-old Danielle Simpson told the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
that he's tired of being locked up and wants to die.

The New Orleans-based court agreed Wednesday to dismiss his appeals after
a competency hearing. His attorney told the judges that he believes
Simpson is sincere, and after the prisoner also sent a handwritten note to
the court expressing his wishes.

He was sentenced to die for the abduction and murder of former Palestine
school teacher Geraldine Davidson during a January 2000 burglary of her
home.

(source: Associated Press)