On December 1, 2023, the state of Georgia issued a death warrant for Stacey Ian Humphreys, scheduling his execution for December 17. Concurrently, Governor Brian Kemp appointed Kim McCoy to the Board of Pardons and Parole, the body responsible for deciding on clemency in Humphreys's case. McCoy, who previously served as a victims’ advocate at the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office, had been involved in supporting the families of the victims in Humphreys's case, which raises significant ethical questions regarding her role on the board.

Humphreys was convicted in 2007 for the double murder of Lori Brown and Cyndi Williams, a case that garnered extensive media attention, necessitating a change of venue for the trial. McCoy's involvement in the trial as a supporter of the victims' families has been described as protective, leading to concerns about her impartiality in the clemency process.

In addition to McCoy, Vice Chair Wayne Bennett, who was the Glynn County sheriff during the trial, also has connections to the case, further complicating the board's ability to operate without perceived bias. Legal representatives for Humphreys have argued that both McCoy and Bennett should recuse themselves from the clemency hearing due to their prior involvement.

Despite these concerns, the board indicated it would proceed with its current composition, prompting Humphreys's legal team to file an emergency motion in Fulton County Superior Court. They requested that the court mandate the recusal of McCoy and Bennett and grant a 90-day stay to allow for the appointment of unbiased members. The board's response indicated that McCoy would abstain from voting, but it did not address the necessity for Bennett to do the same.

Georgia's Board of Pardons and Parole holds significant power in the clemency process, operating independently of the governor and possessing the authority to grant stays of execution. Unlike many states, Georgia's clemency hearings are conducted behind closed doors, with decisions classified as confidential.

As the execution date approached, Humphreys's legal team expressed concerns about the board's ability to fairly consider his clemency application, particularly given the potential for bias from board members with direct ties to the case. The situation was further complicated by the nature of the jury's deliberations during the trial, which had been marred by misconduct and emotional outbursts, raising additional questions about the integrity of the original sentencing.

The board ultimately suspended the execution temporarily, but the duration of this suspension remains uncertain, leaving Humphreys's fate precariously hanging in the balance as legal and ethical challenges continue to unfold.