Local News
Local News

Parole board denies clemency to condemned killer

By
June 4, 2010

The state parole board on Friday denied clemency to Melbert Ray Ford Jr., who is scheduled to be executed next week for the 1986 killings of a his former girlfriend and her 11-year-old niece.

Ford is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Georgia Diagnostic Classification Prison in Jackson. He was sentenced to death for the murders of his former companion, Martha Matich, and her niece, Lisa Chapman, during a grocery store robbery in Newton County.

About the Author

Bill Rankin has been an AJC reporter for more than 30 years. His father, Jim Rankin, worked as an editor for the newspaper for 26 years, retiring in 1986. Bill has primarily covered the state’s court system, doing all he can do to keep the scales of justice on an even keel. Since 2015, he has been the host of the newspaper’s Breakdown podcast.

Follow Bill Rankin on twitter
More Stories

The Latest

Killer bees, unlike these common European honey bees, are abuzz at the Georgia border. Recently spotted in Barbour County, Alabama, Africanized bees are known for their aggression and ability to sting people to death. (AP 2010)

Credit: AP

‘Killer Bees’ swarm close to Georgia border

Man killed in July Fourth shooting at Cobb apartments, police say

Gridlock Guy: Hands-free laws work if drivers obey them

Featured

University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue said joining neighboring states to form a new accreditation agency will “keep Georgia’s universities among the best in the nation." (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

AJC ON CAMPUS

Georgia joins five Southern states to form new accreditation agency

In this edition of the AJC On Campus, Georgia is joining a movement to shake up the accreditation system that has long been the model for American higher education.

14 injured in separate boat explosions on Lake Lanier, Lake Nottely on July 4th

Flames erupted from two boats, one on Lake Lanier and another on Lake Nottely, during the Fourth of July holiday, officials said.

Atlanta leaders eye trails as part of solution to city’s traffic woes

The 535-mile expansion plan, known as Trails ATL, aims to make the city more walkable, bringing 10-minute access to trails for 95% of city residents by 2052.