Roy Willard Blankenship's lawyers are scheduled to appear Monday before the State Board of Pardons and Paroles to make arguments about why the board should stay  his execution now scheduled for June 23 or commute the death sentence.  Blankenship was found guilty in 1980 of burglary, murder and rape in the death of 78 year old Sarah Mims Bowen of Savannah. The board stayed Blankenship's execution in February to allow for DNA testing.

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez