ATLANTA - The State Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied clemency in the case of condemned inmate J.W. Ledford, Jr. The decision by the five member Parole Board came after an exhaustive review of the inmate’s parole case file and following a meeting today to receive information for or against clemency.  

The Georgia Department of Corrections has scheduled Ledford’s execution for tomorrow, May 16, 2017, at 7 p.m. at the Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson.

Ledford was sentenced to death for the January 1992 murder of 73-year old Harry Buchanan Johnston, Jr., in Murray County. Ledford was convicted of malice murder, as well as two counts of armed robbery, one count of burglary and one count of kidnapping. The United States Supreme Court denied Ledford’s request to appeal on April 3, 2017. The Murray County Superior Court issued the order for the execution of Ledford.

The Parole Board maintains a comprehensive file on each death row inmate. The file contains the history of the inmate’s life, including the inmate’s criminal history and the circumstances of the crime that was committed resulting in the death sentence. Prior to today’s meeting the Board Members had thoroughly reviewed that information.

To view a photo of J.W. Ledford, Jr., go to www.gdc.ga.gov, click on Find an Offender, agree to the terms on the disclaimer page and search by the offender’s EF number, 306429.

For more information please contact Steve Hayes at 404-657-9450 or [email protected] or visit our website at www.pap.georgia.gov.

###