By Mark Woolsey
Just when-or-even if-Stacey Humphreys will be executed has now become more uncertain.
Humphreys was convicted in 2007 of killing two west Cobb realtors four years and he was scheduled to be executed this evening at the Georgia State diagnostic center in Jackson, south of Atlanta.
Judge Tyler Browning will hold a hearing and weigh whether his sentence should be reduced. Browning will weigh whether a recently passed state law is applicable-a statue that says judges can re-sentence people in prison or impose lighter penalties during the sentencing phase of a trial.
The law is intended to help child abuse and domestic violence victims cut the length of their sentences-IF they can tie the abuse to the crimes they committed.
Humphreys’ attorneys contend their client suffered multiple forms of abuse during his childhood.
Hours earlier, the state Pardon and Parole Board announced they would not grant clemency in the case. That was after a hearing where they say” all facts and circumstances” were considered. From a constitutional standpoint, only the parole board can consider clemency in death-penalty cases.
Victims Cyndi Williams and Lori Brown were killed after Humphreys walked into a construction company sales office in Powder Springs. He forced Williams to her hands and knees, then shot her in the back and head. Brown was also forced to kneel before she was shot in the head execution-style. Both victims had been ordered to disrobe as well.
Prosecutors said Humphreys stole the agents’ driver’s licenses and their credit and ATM cards under duress, forcing them to give him the access codes. After the shootings, he used the cards to steal thousands of dollars from the victims’ accounts.
Humphreys was caught five days after the murders following a high-speed chase in Wisconsin.