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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Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com