A federal judge issued a last-minute stay on a Missouri inmate's execution as new evidence on his case came to light.

Just hours before John Middleton was scheduled to be executed at midnight on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Catherine Perry granted a stay, citing that enough evidence of mental illness had been provided to allow the execution to be put on hold.

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Middleton was convicted of killing Randy Hamilton, Stacey Hodge, and Alfred Pinegar in 1995, reportedly because he was concerned they would report to the police regarding his methamphetamine dealing. The inmate's girlfriend, Maggie Hodges, is currently serving life in prison after being convicted of second-degree murder in all three cases.

In the early to mid-90s, Middleton was a meth dealer in northern Missouri. In June of 1995, several drug suspects were arrested and it is alleged that this is what drove the criminal to begin killing off who he believed to be "snitches."

According to prosecutors, Middleton shot and killed two of the victims, and stuffed the bodies in the trunk of the car belonging to Randy Hamilton.

The third victim, Pinegar, was found shot in the face in a field near Bethany, MO.

However, a new witness has come forward claiming that two dealers drove him out to the area where Pinegar's body was and asked him if he wanted to die as well. The claim raises doubts as to whether or not Middleton indeed killed all three people.

Although Harrison County Sheriff Josh Eckerson has agreed to look over the case once again, he states that his investigation has uncovered no evidence which backs up the new assertions. Eckerson also maintains that Middleton is responsible for the death of the three victims.

If the new evidence is proved unfounded, 54-year-old Middleton will face execution at a later point in time.

TagsMissouri inmate execution, John Middleton