A condemned killer’s execution was halted just days before his scheduled death when a judge discovered that two parole board members had troubling connections to his original murder trial.
Story Snapshot
- Stacey Humphreys’ December 17 execution was paused due to alleged parole board conflicts of interest
- Two board members had direct involvement in his 2003 trial for murdering real estate agents
- Judge Robert McBurney ordered a temporary halt until conflict issues are resolved by January 19
- The case highlights serious due process concerns in Georgia’s death penalty system
The Crime That Started It All
In 2003, Stacey Humphreys walked into a Cobb County real estate office and shot two young agents to death. Cyndi Williams, 33, and Lori Brown, 21, were simply doing their jobs when Humphreys ended their lives in cold blood. The brutal double murder shocked the northwest Atlanta community and generated so much pretrial publicity that the case had to be moved to Glynn County for trial.
Humphreys was convicted of malice murder and sentenced to death. For over two decades, he has sat on death row while his case wound through the appeals process. His execution was finally scheduled for December 17, 2025, bringing what many hoped would be closure to the victims’ families.
Troubling Connections Emerge
Just days before the scheduled execution, Humphreys’ lawyers made a startling discovery. Two members of Georgia’s parole board—the body responsible for clemency decisions—had direct connections to his original trial. Kimberly McCoy had worked as a victim advocate for the Cobb County District Attorney’s office during the trial and was specifically assigned to work with the victims in Humphreys’ case.
Even more concerning, Wayne Bennett served as sheriff of Glynn County during the trial and was responsible for overseeing juror and inmate security. These weren’t casual observers—both individuals played active roles in ensuring Humphreys’ conviction and imprisonment. Now they were positioned to decide whether he deserved mercy.
Judge Steps In to Ensure Justice
Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney recognized the gravity of the situation. On December 29, he issued an order temporarily halting the execution, stating that Humphreys “deserves” a thorough review of these conflicts before facing death. The judge called the concerns “non-frivolous” and ordered both sides to submit legal briefs by January 19, 2026.
This judicial intervention represents a rare but necessary check on the death penalty process. While victims’ families understandably want justice served, that justice must be delivered through an impartial system. When the very people deciding clemency have personal stakes in upholding the original conviction, the integrity of the entire process comes into question.
The Broader Implications
This case exposes a fundamental flaw in how Georgia handles death penalty cases. The parole board wields enormous power over life and death decisions, yet there appear to be insufficient safeguards against conflicts of interest. How many other condemned inmates have faced clemency boards populated by individuals with personal investments in their cases?
The delay, while frustrating for those seeking closure, serves the cause of true justice. Conservative principles demand both accountability for heinous crimes and fairness in legal proceedings. A system that allows potentially biased decision-makers to determine clemency undermines both goals and erodes public trust in capital punishment.
Sources:
ABC News – Judge halts Georgia execution over inmate’s concerns about clemency process
WSB Radio – Scheduled execution of man accused of killing 2 real estate agents in 2003 on hold
