The state of Georgia has set a Dec. 16 execution date for Carlton Gary, the so-called "Columbus stocking strangler" who was convicted of raping and killing three women.

Gary, 59, is to die by lethal injection. He was sentenced to death by a Muscogee County jury in August 1986. The three victims, who were between the ages of 59 and 89, were sexually assaulted and then strangled with their stockings.

The state Board of Pardons and Paroles has set Gary's clemency hearing for Dec. 14. Gary, who has maintained his innocence, was also implicated, but not charged, with the deaths of four other women. The crimes occurred over an eight-month period in the late 1970s.

About the Author

Keep Reading

An aerial image shows part of John A. White Park taken on Wednesday, July 4, 2025, where the City of Atlanta plans to build new trails as part of the citywide Trails ATL plan. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Scott Jackson (right), business service consultant for WorkSource Fulton, helps job seekers with their applications in a mobile career center at a job fair hosted by Goodwill Career Center in Atlanta. (Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC)

Credit: Ziyu Julian Zhu/AJC