Stenson execution awaiting DNA tests

Now that a federal court’s stay of his scheduled execution has been lifted, former Sequim resident Darold R.J. Stenson is awaiting results of additional DNA testing allowed by the state Supreme Court.

Stenson, 56, had been scheduled to be executed Dec. 3 for the 1993 murders of his wife and a business partner in Clallam County until two separate courts issued stays to the execution.

U.S. District Judge Lonny Suko in Yakima granted a stay on Nov. 25.

The U.S. Supreme Court lifted that stay on Dec. 3, ruling that on procedural grounds it was not warranted.

Clallam County Superior Court Judge Kenneth Williams granted a second stay after hearing that a former inmate said another man told him that Stenson was not guilty and had been framed.

Now the crime lab must report to the court what items are feasible for testing and whether the type of testing to be used is likely to produce any viable information, said Clallam County Presecutor Deborah Kelly.