Defense Calls Sister In Penalty Phase Of Humphreys Trial

BRUNSWICK, GA (AP) -- Jurors in Brunswick listened today as the sister of Stacey Ian Humphreys pleaded with them to spare her brother's life when he is sentenced for the deaths of two real estate agents in Cobb County.

Dayna Knowles told jurors that Humphreys underwent physical and verbal abuse as a child. She asked the jury not to sentence him to death. Testimony in the penalty phase of the trial has wrapped up, with closing arguments set for this afternoon.

Jurors heard earlier this week from family and friends of 33-year-old Cyndi Williams and 21-year-old Lori Brown as they spoke about their grief nearly four years after the women were killed.

The jury convicted the 34-year-old Humphreys of malice murder Tuesday. The 10 woman and two men must decide if Humphreys will be sentenced to life in prison or death by lethal injection.

The trial was moved from Cobb County to coastal Georgia because of pre-trial publicity.



Associated Press