From Death to Reprieve: The Power of a Stay of Execution Explained We weren’t able to create a summary for you. Refresh your page to try again. Apr 1, 2026 · A reprieve comes from the executive — the President or a governor — using discretionary clemency power. A stay of execution comes from a court, usually because a legal issue needs to be resolved before the sentence can be carried out. Apr 1, 2026 · A reprieve comes from the executive — the President or a governor — using discretionary clemency power. A stay of execution comes from a court, usually because a legal issue needs to be resolved before the sentence can be carried out.
