Death row inmate who believes he’s ‘immortal’ avoids execution

John Richard Wood has been diagnosed with schizophrenia (Picture: South Carolina Department of Corrections)

A death row inmate who believes he has already died three times and been resurrected has been deemed too mentally ill to face execution.

John Richard Wood, 56, has been in prison for more than 25 years after killing a state trooper in South Carolina.

In December 2000, Wood opened fire on South Carolina State Trooper Eric Nicholson during a traffic stop.

After fleeing, he shot at police and hit another officer with a bullet fragment before being arrested.

Now, three mental health experts have agreed that he isn’t competent enough to be executed, having not understood why he is being punished.

Wood, who has schizophrenia, believes he is immortal – and thinks he has already...