(JNS) The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has issued a stay of execution for a Jewish death-row inmate who was scheduled to die on Oct. 10 for being part of “The Texas Seven” that escaped from prison almost 19 years ago and killed a police officer after they held up a sporting goods store, following allegations that he was sentenced by a judge who made anti-Semitic remarks and has a history of bigotry.

The judge, Vickers Cunningham, has been accused of privately referring to Halprin, as he sentenced him to death in 2003 for being part of the murder of Irving, Texas, police officer Aubrey Hawkins at an Oshman’s Sporting Goods store on Christmas Eve 2000, with an anti-Semitic slur and as “that f****in’ Jew.”

Cunningham allegedly also said that Jews “needed to be shut down because they controlled all the money,” according to Halprin’s attorneys.

Members from the Jewish community and other faith groups have pressed for a new trial for Halprin.