ATLANTA - Gov. Sonny Perdue has appointed two members to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles, clearing the way for executions and clemency hearings to continue.
Perdue appointed Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice Commissioner Albert Murray and Republican state Rep. Terry Barnard to the five-member clemency panel. He is also recommending that current pardons board member Garland Hunt take Murray's former job.
Barnard is from Glennville and is retiring from the House. His House seat has included a non-populated part of Fort Stewart.
The board in February delayed the execution of Melbert Ray Ford because a spot on the panel was not filled. Officials with the pardons board said at the time that holding a clemency consideration with a board of four members in a death case could violate state law.
Prosecutors must now return to court to get a new execution order for Ford.