Georgia is set to carry out its first execution in more than four years on Wednesday, despite arguments from the condemned inmate's attorneys that he should be spared due to intellectual disability and a troubled upbringing. The inmate, Willie Pye, faces execution for the 1993 killing of Alicia Lynn Yarbrough.
Three of Pye's jurors have expressed opposition to his execution, citing factors from his background that were not presented during his trial. Pye's clemency petition highlighted the ineffective assistance of his overworked public defender, who was handling numerous cases simultaneously.
Pye's petition argued for a life sentence, emphasizing his intellectual disability with an IQ of 68 and the challenging circumstances he faced from birth, including poverty and neglect. However, the state parole board denied clemency after thorough consideration of the case.
Despite ongoing litigation that could potentially halt the execution, Pye's fate remains uncertain. If the lethal injection proceeds as planned, it would mark Georgia's first execution since January 2020, following a halt due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pye's conviction and death sentence have been upheld on appeal, with previous rulings acknowledging his intellectual disability but requiring an insurmountably high burden of proof. The court found Pye guilty of malice murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, burglary, and rape in connection with Yarbrough's death.
Pye's accomplices, who are serving life sentences, were involved in the abduction, robbery, and rape of Yarbrough before Pye fatally shot her. Despite challenges in his defense and appeals process, Pye's execution is scheduled to proceed unless further legal intervention occurs.
