Execution stay for man convicted of killing 14-year-old girl

Associated Press
Updated

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A federal judge has granted a temporary stay of execution to a man convicted in Florida of stabbing and drowning a 14-year-old girl.

U.S. District Judge William Jung ordered the stay Wednesday until Dec. 30, giving new attorneys for 73-year-old James Dailey more time to research and present their case. The execution had been set for Nov. 7 at Florida State Prison.

Records show Dailey was convicted of the 1985 murder of Shelly Boggio. Authorities say Dailey and two other men met Boggio and her twin sister when the girls were hitchhiking near St. Petersburg. Boggio's body was later found floating near a fishing area.

One of the other men, 64-year-old Jack Pearcy, told investigators Dailey stabbed Boggio and held her down in the water. Pearcy was convicted of murder and given life in prison.