JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Governor Bush is returning to Texas today to consider granting a reprieve to a death row inmate facing execution tonight by lethal injection. The woman, Betty Lou Beets, was convicted of the 1983 murder of her fifth husband. CNN's Charles Zewe is following this story from outside the prison in Huntsville, Texas -- Charles.</s>CHARLES ZEWE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Jeanne, Betty Lou Beets expected to be brought to the walls unit, where the death house is located in Texas, sometime within the next several hours to await her 6:00 p.m. Central time death tonight by lethal injection, unless the courts or Governor Bush intervene and stop the execution. The governor, according to his office, "will consider," in their words, Beets' case that she was an abused homemaker who was abused by all five of her husbands. She was sentenced to death for killing her fifth husband by shooting him in the head. She denies she did that. Her supporters claim she was a victim of spousal abuse and, for that matter, that she should be given a reprieve in this case. The governor expected to look at the case after the courts finish their examination later in the day today. Beets' attorney, Joe Marguilies, told CNN earlier in the day he hopes Bush lives up to his claim of being a compassionate conservative.</s>JOE MARGUILIES, BEETS' ATTORNEY: The core of the American public is behind this reprieve. And that's why, for instance, over 100 national domestic violence and battered women's organizations, including some of the leading organizations in the country, have called on the governor to stop this execution. He has the power to do that. He has the power to demonstrate the compassion and his conservatism, and we are hopeful that he will do that.</s>ZEWE: Bush, however, has presided over 120 executions. It is considered unlikely he will intervene in this one. But his office says he will consider it nonetheless. Charles Zewe, CNN, live, Huntsville, Texas.
Gov. Bush Returns to Texas to Consider Beets Case