Judge Pauses Execution Over Parole Board Conflict Concerns

Robert McBurney ordered a temporary pause on the execution of Stacey Humphreys following concerns about the impartiality of the state parole board. Lawyers for Humphreys argue that members Kimberly McCoy and Wayne Bennett have conflicts of interest stemming from their roles during his 2003 double murder trial. The court requested additional legal briefs by January 19 to determine if the board composition must be changed before a clemency hearing.Humphreys was previously convicted for the shooting deaths of Cyndi Williams and Lori Brown at a real estate office northwest of Atlanta. McCoy served as a victim advocate during the original case while Bennett acted as the sheriff overseeing security for the jurors and the defendant. McBurney stated that pausing the execution is the correct course of action until these non-frivolous questions regarding board fairness are fully resolved.The death sentence procedure was already on hold since December 17 but this new ruling ensures the clemency process is thoroughly researched. Legal teams from both sides are required to submit their arguments regarding the potential for bias within the next month. The decision aims to ensure that a board free of conflicts of interest eventually decides the fate of the fifty-two-year-old inmate.