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Lawyer: Condemned inmate mentally incompetent for execution, BBB protecting against scam artists

The U.S. Supreme Court says death-row prisoners must have "rational understanding" that they are about to be executed and why.  But a lawyer for an Alabama inmate say their client fails that test.

A lawyer for 65-year-old Vernon Madison told a panel of 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges today that stroke-induced dementia has made Madison unable to understand why the state plans to execute him. Madison was convicted in the 1985 killing of Mobile police Officer Julius Schulte.

A state lawyer countered that while Madison's health has deteriorated, the inmate still understands he is being punished for the crime he committed.

The appeals court in May stayed Madison's execution just seven hours before he was scheduled to get a lethal injection.

Anyone without dental insurance has the opportunity to get some basic dental work done tomorrow. APR’s Meagan Mowery…

Total Dental Care in Guntersville is offering the chance for basic dental care for those without insurance. Dentists will see anyone ages nineteen and up. Doctor Chris Harper says it’s a good idea to get there early…

 “It’s going to be first come first serve, and usually people start arriving around 5:00 to 6:00 a.m. We officially start at 7:00 but usually if you show up at 7:00 it’s going to be too late.”

Harper says they hope to see around one hundred patients. Participants must bring two canned good to receive dental care. The food will be donated to a local food bank. Services include free extractions, cleanings, and fillings.

The Better Business Bureau of North Alabama wants member of the military to on guard against scam artists.

The Bureau is partnering with Still Serving Veterans to educate the community of Huntsville about common scams. The groups held a free Fraud Summit today in downtown Huntsville. Experts taught Alabamians how to identify and avoid fraudulent activity, such as phony investment, Medicare abuse, and identity theft.

Elizabeth Garcia is the President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama. She says the event’s speakers specialize in this type of fraud detection…

“We’ll have experts in our panelists ranging from the FBI, the Alabama Securities Commission, local law enforcement, bank fraud specialists, Medicare specialists and many more.”

The free event was held today at the BB&T bank in downtown Huntsville.

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