DA Planned Death Warrant for Todd Wessinger
District Attorney Hillar Moore intends to seek a death warrant after the court denied a rehearing for the death row inmate.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Criminal Justice
District Attorney Hillar Moore plans to sign a death warrant for Todd Wessinger, who has been on death row for the 1995 murder of two co-workers at a Baton Rouge restaurant. This move follows a Monday decision by the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to deny a request to rehear the conviction appeal.
Why it matters
The district attorney aims to execute the jury's original sentence after a 30-year appeals process. Moving toward an execution date represents a major step in fulfilling the sentencing mandate for this decades-old case.
Wessinger remains incarcerated at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola while legal proceedings continue. The state is also currently facing a challenge from Wessinger regarding the use of nitrogen gas for executions.
The players
Todd Wessinger
He is a death row inmate currently incarcerated at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola for a double murder.
Hillar Moore
He is the District Attorney who plans to sign the death warrant to move forward with the execution process.
Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
This federal judicial body handles appellate cases and recently denied the request to rehear the conviction appeal.
The details
Wessinger, who killed two former co-workers in 1995, is facing the potential scheduling of his death warrant after years of litigation. A judge must ultimately sign the warrant before the execution can be officially scheduled.
Timeline
1995: Todd Wessinger killed two former co-workers in Baton Rouge.
August 2026: The Fifth Circuit Court denied a request to remove Wessinger from death row.
September 2026: Wessinger initiated a lawsuit against Louisiana over execution methods.
October 5, 2026: The Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals denied a request for a rehearing.
Legal Context
This case highlights the long-term legal hurdles present in the 30-year duration of the Wessinger appeals process, mirroring patterns in capital punishment litigation. The move follows a multi-decade cycle of petitions that remains common in state death penalty proceedings.
The move toward scheduling an execution may lead to increased security measures or protests at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola. Residents should monitor official announcements for potential road closures or security advisories near the facility.
The takeaway
The move to sign a death warrant marks a pivotal point in a case that has spanned three decades of legal challenges. It underscores the ongoing state efforts to resolve long-standing capital sentences through established judicial warrants.
Further reading
For more information on legal developments in the region, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBRZ.
