HOUSTON -- A federal appeals court has lifted a reprieve for a convicted killer in Texas, reinstating his scheduled execution hours before it was to be carried out for the slaying of a 12-year-old girl more than decade ago.

The state attorney general's office had asked the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn the stay of execution given earlier this week to condemned prisoner Jonathan Green. The 44-year-old was convicted of the abduction, rape and strangling of Christina Neal in 2000.

He's set to die Wednesday evening in Huntsville.

Neal's family and Green lived in the same area about 45 miles northwest of Houston. Her body was found in his home.

Green's lawyers contend he's mentally incompetent for execution. The 5th Circuit judges say evidence shows he's competent.