Arizona Supreme Court won't review competency in death case

The Arizona Supreme Court has declined to overturn a lower court ruling that found a man set to be executed later this week is competent to be put to death

PHOENIX -- The Arizona Supreme Court on Monday declined to overturn a lower court ruling that found a man set to be executed this week is competent to be put to death.

The high court without comment declined to review last week's decision from a judge in Pinal County that rejected arguments that mental illness made Clarence Dixon unable to understand why he was being put to death.

While the judge found Dixon does suffer from schizophrenia, he said Dixon is rational and understands the proceedings in his case well enough to show he is competent.

Dixon's lawyers are now expected to ask a federal judge in Phoenix to consider his competency as part of a flurry of last-minute court action they hope will prevent Wednesday's scheduled execution.