By Garren Shipley—Daily Staff Writer

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay of execution on Monday morning, following the announcement that it will hear the case of Edward N. Bell, the Jamaican national convicted of murdering a Winchester police officer in 1999.

At least four of the justices voted to hear the case to settle a somewhat technical legal question — a dispute between the Richmond based Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeal over the level of deference federal appellate panels are required to show to state courts.

"It is ordered that the execution of sentence of death is stayed pending the sending down of the judgment of this Court," the court wrote, in an order signed by Chief Justice John G. Roberts.

Bell's legal team said Monday that the case would likely be briefed over the summer with oral arguments taking place in late fall, some time after the court's new term begins in October.

The decision to hear the case at a minimum pushes Bell's date with the death chamber back for almost a year, if not longer, and could trigger a new round of legal proceedings with a possible end-outcome of a new sentencing hearing.

Bell's case was the only one the justices agreed to hear in a list of orders issued on Monday.

For further developments, visit nvdaily.com or read the print edition of The Northern Virginia Daily.

Related links

• PDF: Order of stay of execution
• Bell special section: Archive of stories, documents, photos, video, audio