Death Row Inmate Facing Lethal Injection in Texas After Triple Murders

POLICY WIRE — Atlanta, United States — A man condemned to death for a brutal triple murder is set to face a lethal injection in Texas, while another death row inmate in Georgia has seen his execution temporarily paused due to new legal arguments.

The execution in Texas will be the state’s fifth this year, contrasting with Georgia, which has not carried out any executions during the same period. Nationally, Florida leads with over half of the 25 executions conducted so far this year.

LeJames Norman, 40, is scheduled for execution at 6 p.m. CDT on Wednesday at the Huntsville prison for the 2005 killings of three people during a drug-fueled home invasion. His case involves a rural community near Houston, where he and an accomplice targeted a residence expecting to find cocaine. When no drugs were found, they fatally shot the occupants.

Norman was arrested five months later while attempting to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico. He pleaded guilty to capital murder, and a jury imposed the death penalty. His defense team has filed a final petition for a stay of execution with the U.S. Supreme Court.

In Georgia, Stacey Humphreys, 53, faces execution for the 2003 slayings of two real estate agents in an Atlanta suburb. His execution was halted after his legal team submitted a petition under a new statute that allows individuals with past abuse histories to request sentence reconsideration if a link can be made between their trauma and crimes. Prosecutors are appealing the decision, which could allow the execution to proceed.

Humphreys’ lawyers also raised concerns about his medical condition, citing his weight and breathing difficulties during the execution process. They further argued that his trial was compromised by a biased juror, though lower courts dismissed these claims. The State Board of Pardons and Paroles denied clemency after a reduced panel reviewed his case.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)