ST. LOUIS (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule Wednesday on two petitions regarding Missouri death row inmate Herbert Smulls, The Missouri Attorney General’s office says.

Smulls’ execution was temporarily stayed late Tuesday night with an order from the high court signed by Justice Samuel Alito. It was sent about two-and-a-half hours before Smulls was scheduled to die at 12:01 a.m. local time Wednesday.