ROCK HILL, S.C. - The state Supreme Court has delayed the execution of a man sent to death row for killing his parents so the inmate can file an appeal.

James Robertson had received permission in February to drop all his appeals and be put to death.

But with his execution just weeks away, Robertson filed court papers last month saying he deserved a new trial because his defense attorneys were ineffective and prosecutors committed misconduct during his 1999 trial.

The justices rued unanimously Thursday to give Robertson time to file the appeal, called post-conviction relief.

Robertson has acted as his own attorney since 2002.

Last month, Robertson told The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer in a phone call from death row he is considering filing the appeal because he has decided he isn't ready to die.

The prosecutor who sent Robertson to death row denies the misconduct allegation.

Robertson stabbed his mother to death and beat his father with a baseball bat and claw hammer in their Rock Hill home in November 1997. Prosecutors said he wanted to collect his share of a $2.2 million inheritance.