A scheduled execution for a convicted murderer in Georgia has been postponed as state officials consider a new request for clemency. Stacey Humphries, age 52, was set to be executed on Wednesday by lethal injection, but the Pardons and Parole Board intervened after receiving a last-minute petition.
This petition, brought forth by the nonprofit Georgian Alternatives to the Death Penalty, has garnered over 1,400 signatures and brings attention to serious issues that allegedly occurred in the jury room during Humphries’ trial.
“The commission has a unique power to rectify a death sentence that was only reached after forced discussions, rather than a legal or unanimous jury verdict,” according to reports.
The petition claims that the jury had an 11-1 vote favoring a life sentence for Humphries but was ultimately swayed by a juror who was insistent on the death penalty.
There’s also an assertion that this juror misrepresented his background during selection and pressured others into voting for death.
According to Georgia law, a jury must inform the judge and declare a mistrial if they cannot reach a decision. The nonprofit argues that the state law requires a life sentence in cases of a deadlocked jury, yet in Humphries’ situation, “the court pushed for further deliberation before issuing the death sentence.”
The petition further requests the board to acknowledge significant mitigating evidence that was presented at trial, including Humphries’ history of trauma and his expressions of remorse. They argue that granting a pardon would not be an act of leniency but a step towards justice—aiming to realign the outcome with the jury’s original intent and prevent a misguided death penalty.
“Clemency would honor the jury’s decision, uphold impartiality, and correct substantial procedural errors,” the petition states. “Not acting could endorse unjust sentences and erode confidence in Georgia’s justice system.”
Humphries was sentenced to death on September 30, 2007, for the murders of two real estate agents, Cynthia Williams and Lori Brown, in 2003. His actions included forcing them to reveal bank information and shooting them execution-style.
After his capture, Humphries claimed not to remember the killings but acknowledged that he ran away because he was aware he had committed the act.
Before the scheduled execution, he requested an extravagant last meal—a combination of traditional Southern dishes and fast food items—drawing significant public attention. Reports indicated his meal included barbecue brisket, pork ribs, a bacon double cheeseburger, fries, coleslaw, cornbread, buffalo wings, a meat-lover’s pizza, vanilla ice cream, and lemon-lime soda.
It’s currently uncertain if Humphries’ meal request will be fulfilled or if it will be honored even if the clemency is denied. The judge’s order permits his execution anytime between Wednesday and December 24.
