State authorities are trying for the third time in a week to put to death a convicted killer who attempted suicide hours before his initial execution date six days ago.

Brandon Joseph Rhode is set to die at Georgia's state prison at 7 p.m. Monday.

The 31-year-old was convicted in 2000 of killing a father and two children during a burglary of their middle Georgia home.

Rhode attempted suicide hours before his Tuesday execution date, requiring hospitalization. The execution was then pushed back to Friday night amid ongoing appeals, but the state court postponed it again until Monday evening.

Rhode's attorneys say the execution should be delayed until judges can evaluate whether Rhode is competent to be executed or understands why he is being punished.

Tags: attorney, killing, middle Georgia, Brandon Joseph Rhode, state authorities, suicide attempt, appeals, burglary