A Texas appeals court has blocked the execution of David Wood just two days before he was set to be put to death by lethal injection. This is a major victory for the 67-year-old, who has for decades maintained he was wrongfully convicted in the murders of six girls and young women in the El Paso area in 1987. Wood’s lawyers have presented new evidence and have asked the court to allow for DNA testing that could prove his innocence.

In Louisiana, a federal judge has temporarily halted the execution of Jessie Hoffman Jr., who was scheduled to be put to death next week using nitrogen gas. Hoffman’s execution would have been the first to take place in Louisiana in 15 years. Hoffman’s attorneys argued the planned use of nitrogen hypoxia, which would involve placing an industrial, full-face mask on Hoffman, would violate the Constitution’s Eighth Amendment, which prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.

In related news, South Carolina death row prisoner Brad Keith Sigmon was executed by firing squad Friday. This was South Carolina’s first-ever use of that execution method and the first firing squad execution in the U.S. in 15 years.