Execution date set, but stay expected

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Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2004 | 9:40 a.m.

SUN CAPITAL BUREAU

CARSON CITY -- The execution of Robert Ybarra Jr., convicted of the slaying of a 16-year-old girl in White Pine County, has been set for Aug. 27 at the state prison in Carson City.

But it is likely to be canceled.

The date was set by Jackie Crawford, director of the state Department of Corrections, but Deputy Attorney General David Neidert said Tuesday the federal public defender's office has asked the U.S. District Court for a stay of the execution. He said the attorney general's office would not oppose the stay.

Ybarra is "still fighting" his death sentence, Neidert said.

Ybarra was convicted of murder, sexual assault, battery and first-degree kidnapping in the killing of Nancy Griffin in 1981.