Last Updated: September 18, 2026 
Texas carried out the execution of LeJames Norman on September 16, while a separate court challenge kept Georgia from executing Stacey Humphreys that same day.
Norman, 40, died by lethal injection for the murders of Samuel Roberts, Tiffani Peacock and Celso Lopez during a 2005 robbery in Edna, Texas.
Humphreys, 53, had also been scheduled to receive a lethal injection on September 16. His execution was halted after a Georgia judge determined that his request for relief under a state resentencing law deserved a hearing.
Brownstone Law’s earlier report, Texas Set to Execute LeJames Norman as Georgia Judge Stays Stacey Humphreys Execution, covered the cases before Norman’s execution and the Georgia Supreme Court’s subsequent action.
Georgia Supreme Court Leaves Humphreys’ Execution Stay in Place
Cobb County Superior Court Judge Tyler Browning issued the stay late on September 15, less than 24 hours before Humphreys’ scheduled execution.
The ruling allowed further consideration of Humphreys’ request under the Georgia Survivor Justice Act. It did not decide whether his arguments ultimately entitled him to a reduced sentence.
On September 16, the Georgia Supreme Court allowed Browning’s ruling to stand pending further proceedings over the law and its application to Humphreys.
Humphreys was convicted of murdering real estate agents Lori Brown, 21, and Cyndi Williams, 33, in Powder Springs in 2003.
Resentencing Request Centers on Childhood Abuse
The Georgia Survivor Justice Act provides a pathway for certain people sentenced before July 1, 2025, to seek reduced sentences when family violence, dating violence or child abuse significantly contributed to their offenses.
Humphreys’ attorneys argue that severe physical, emotional and sexual abuse during his childhood contributed to his criminal conduct and supports his request for resentencing.
The Georgia Attorney General’s Office disputes the law’s application to his case. The state argues that lawmakers did not intend the legislation to apply to death-row prisoners and that using it this way would undermine a jury’s authority to impose a death sentence.
Those competing arguments remain unresolved. The stay temporarily prevents Humphreys’ execution while the legal proceedings continue.
Texas Carries Out LeJames Norman’s Execution
Norman was pronounced dead at 6:44 p.m. Central Time on September 16.
His case arose from an August 24, 2005, robbery in which Norman and co-defendant Ker’Sean Ramey entered Lopez’s home looking for cocaine. Lopez, 38, Peacock, 18, and Roberts, 24, were killed.
Norman’s attorneys had sought mercy, citing his remorse and an abusive childhood. They also argued that his trial lawyers failed to adequately investigate whether childhood violence had caused brain trauma.
Norman became the fifth person executed in Texas in 2026.
What Happens Next in Humphreys’ Case?
Further proceedings will address whether the Georgia Survivor Justice Act applies to Humphreys and whether he qualifies for relief.
The court’s decision to leave the stay in place does not grant resentencing or resolve the state’s objections. His convictions and death sentence remain intact while his execution is on hold.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. It reflects the reported status of these proceedings as of the update date. Arguments made by attorneys are not judicial findings.
