Nephew of slain teacher reacts to stay of execution for her murderer

BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A family member of Escolastica Harrison, who was murdered more than 20 years ago, reacted to the stay of execution being granted to her killer Tuesday evening.

_{(Texas Department of Criminal Justice via AP)}

Ruben Gutierrez was scheduled to be executed Tuesday afternoon for the murder of Harrison in 1998. Hours before his scheduled execution, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a stay, halting the execution, for now.

Gutierrez legal team asked to stop the execution, citing that the state denied his right to DNA testing that would show he would not be eligible for the death penalty.

On Tuesday, ValleyCentral spoke with Alex Hernandez, Harrison's nephew, who said he was at a loss for words.

"How much longer do we have to wait?" Hernandez said. "Hopefully this is something that's just another bump in the road. It's been 20, 25 years already. I'm not going to give up yet."

_{Photo of Escolastica Harrison. (Source: CBS 4 photo)}

Hernandez said he feels defeated, but will go through with the process again, if that is what it takes.

Gutierrez was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death in 1999 in the killing of Harrison. Investigators determined that Gutierrez and two others broke into Harrison's home with the plan to rob her of money she had in a safe.

Authorities said that Harrison was stabbed 13 times with a screwdriver and ultimately died from her injuries.

Gutierrez's legal team has long sought DNA testing in the case. They claim that Gutierrez never entered Harrison's home, nor knew anyone would be harmed.

His team has been seeking DNA testing of items from the crime scene, including nail scrapings from Harrison, blood samples and a blood-stained shirt.