Lawyers Say Hearing on Eaton’s Claims Will Take Until Next Year

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — Lawyers say it will take until July 2013 to prepare for a federal court hearing on claims by Wyoming's lone death row inmate that he didn't receive a fair trial in state court.

U.S. District Judge Alan B. Johnson in early May ruled that inmate Dale Wayne Eaton deserves to call witnesses to testify about his claims, including his allegation that his trial lawyer was ineffective.

Eaton is challenging the constitutionality of the state death sentence he received in the 1988 rape and murder of 18-year-old Lisa Marie Kimmell of Billings, Mont. Eaton's current lawyers don't dispute he killed Kimmell, who was abducted while driving alone across Wyoming.

Casper District Attorney Mike Blonigen prosecuted Eaton in 2004.

He says he doesn't understand why Eaton's federal appeal can't move faster.