THE DARK SIDE OF GEORGIA
Ivon Stanley
#103603
photo courtesy Murderpedia
Full Name: Ivon Ray Stanley
Date of birth: 1956
Conviction: 1st-degree murder
County: Decatur
City: Bainbridge
Current Location: Executed
Partner in crime: Joseph Edward Thomas
Date of crime: April 12, 1976
Execution date: July 12, 1984
Victim(s): Clifford Floyd
Date of birth: 1956
Conviction: 1st-degree murder
County: Decatur
City: Bainbridge
Current Location: Executed
Partner in crime: Joseph Edward Thomas
Date of crime: April 12, 1976
Execution date: July 12, 1984
Victim(s): Clifford Floyd
On April 12, 1976, Clifford Floyd was making his regular Monday afternoon rounds through the Fowlstown area of Bainbridge, Georgia, collecting weekly insurance premiums. Five weeks earlier, Joseph Thomas and Ivon Stanley had been overheard talking about robbing the insurance man because they needed some money. About one month prior to the murder, they were again overheard by a different person discussing the planned robbery. The two agreed that after the robbery they would “have to get rid of him because he will tell who we are.” Subsequent events are described from Thomas’ statements:
On April 12, Clifford came by Thomas’ house to collect a premium. When he left, Thomas sent a friend over to Stanley’s house “to tell Ivon to come over to my house.” Stanley “came straight on over. And I told him, I asked him, I said, ‘You can get the insurance man if you want him…’” Stanley ran from Thomas’ house and caught up with Clifford.
On a pretext, he persuaded Clifford to return to the Thomas residence. Stanley was armed with a .22-caliber pistol which Thomas had just given him. When Thomas came out of the house, Stanley had already pulled the gun on Clifford, emptied his pockets and told him not to move and not to say anything.
Stanley, armed with the pistol, and Thomas, carrying a hammer, forced Clifford to go with them to the woods near the Thomas house. As they were walking, Clifford and Thomas exchanged some words. Angered, Thomas struck Clifford on the forehead with the hammer. Thomas walked back up to the hog pens near his house, got a length of rope, and returned to the woods where the other two were. Again leaving Stanley and Clifford alone, Thomas went back to where Floyd had parked his car and drove it away in search of a hiding place. He rifled the car, broke into the glove compartment and removed a .22-caliber pistol.
Leaving the car, he walked back to where he had left the other two men. When Thomas returned, he found Clifford tied to a tree. Stanley said, “You know, you know, we gonna have to, you know he knows.” Thomas responded, “Yeah.” “You know, we are gonna have to get rid of him,” Stanley said. Thomas said nothing, then went back to his house, got his mother’s shovel and returned. With the shovel, Thomas began digging a shallow grave, perhaps 11 inches in depth. Tiring, he gave the shovel to Stanley who finished “digging that insurance man’s grave.”
When they had completed the grave, Stanley went over and untied Clifford from the tree but left his hands bound. Considerable blood was flowing from Clifford’s forehead. Thomas ripped part of the shirt from the man’s back and stuffed it into his mouth to silence him. As they approached the grave, Stanley handed the gun to Thomas and told him, “You gonna do the rest…”
Taking the gun, Thomas turned his head away and fired five times at Clifford’s head. Stanley then took the shovel and hit Clifford twice. He handed the shovel to Thomas who beat Clifford with it. He hit him once in the stomach, twice in the head and one time in the chest. Clifford was still alive. Stanley then began to shovel dirt over the lower part of Clifford’s body. When he had partially buried the man, he handed the shovel to Thomas who then began to shovel dirt of Clifford’s head. Through all of this, Clifford was not only struggling for breath but, as the dirt began to cover his head, he attempted to say something. Twice, according to Thomas, the insurance man had pleaded for his life. When Clifford, still breathing, was completely covered in his shallow grave, the two men left, Thomas returning to his home.
At around 6 p.m., as Thomas was finishing supper, Stanley came over to his house and said that they had “better go move that car.” They drove the car down an old logging road where they eventually bogged down. The car was ultimately discovered by law enforcement officials.
At the time of Clifford’s last known collection he would have collected approximately $234. Beginning the next day, four anonymous phone calls were made to police telling them where they could find the car and giving misleading information about the victim. Through a telephone tap, one of these calls was traced to Thomas’ home. When police arrived, he was the only person at home. He subsequently admitted to making the call.
An autopsy disclosed a gunshot wound through Clifford’s upper lip; numerous lacerations to the scalp, head and body, apparently inflicted by the leading edge of a shovel; a depressed skull fracture pushed into the brain consistent with a blow from a hammer; brain hemorrhage; a broken sternum; and “a rather striking accumulation of both blood and dirt which was found in the bronchi of both lungs, scattered up and down the trachea and in the larynx and also in the upper-most part of the stomach…” Based on the autopsy, death was caused by swallowing a mixture of blood and dirt, vomiting it up, then inhaling the regurgitated mixture into the lungs. Clifford either strangled or suffocated on his own blood within about thirty minutes as he lay buried in the shallow grave.
Stanley and Thomas were arrested two days after the murder. Thomas confessed in intricate detail to his crime. His confession was tape-recorded seven days after the murder and was introduced at trial. He took the stand and testified that he had no memory of the incident after ingesting two pills given or sold to him by “some dude” in Macon. He also claimed no memory of the phone calls or of the confession given.
Ivon Stanley, 28, was sentenced to die by execution. He was pronounced dead at 12:24 a.m. on July 12, 1984. Stanley’s execution was recorded an the transcript is as follows:
Willis Marable (assistant warden): This is a recording of the execution of Ivon Ray Stanley, EF103603, July the 12th, 1984. Colonel Low, Micky?
Unidentified voice: Yes
Marable: The witnesses are now entering the witness room.
Unidentified voice: Okay.
Marable: The state witnesses have entered the witness room and have seated themselves on the front row. At this time, the news media witnesses are entering. All witnesses have arrived and have seated.
Unidentified voice: Let’s proceed. We can proceed if you’re ready.
Marable: Colonel Low, Mickey, the warden has entered the execution chamber at this time, approaching the microphone and is in the process of briefing all witnesses to remain quiet and to avoid any unnecessary movement. He is also advising them that medical assistance is available if needed. The warden at this time is in the process of confirming all witnesses. All witnesses have been confirmed. The warden is in the process of advising all witnesses that we will now proceed with the court-ordered execution of Ivon Stanley. Mickey, Colonel Low?
Unidentified voice: Yes.
Marable: We’re still waiting for the execution team members to bring him into the execution chamber.
Unidentified voice: We’ll just stand by and keep [inaudible].
Marable: Colonel Low, Mickey?
Unidentified voice: Yes.
Marable: The execution team is now in the process of escorting the condemned into the execution chamber. He is walking, unassisted, walked straight to the chair and has seated himself in it. One of the execution team members is now in the process of securing the back strap. The other members are in the process of securing the arm straps and leg straps. The back strap is secure at this time. Both arm straps are secure at this time. They are still in the process of securing the leg straps. At this time, the condemned has been secured in the chair. He is not moving. He is just sitting there very passively, staring out at the witnesses.
The superintendent has afforded the condemned an opportunity to make a last statement. He has declined to make a last statement.
Unidentified voice: Are you ready to die now?
Marable: He is afforded the opportunity for prayer. He declined this also. The warden is now in the process of reading the essential court order to the witnesses and to the condemned.
Ralph Kemp: The court has [inaudible] the defendant Ivon Ray Stanley on the 15th of January, 1977, in accordance to the laws of Georgia.
Marable: The condemned is still sitting there very passively, no movement, staring out to the witnesses. The superintendent is still in the process of reading the court order to the condemned. At this time, the superintendent has completed reading the essential court order.
The execution team members are now entering the execution chamber with the headset and the leg band. One member is in the process of securing the leg band to the fleshy part of the inmate’s right leg. Two members of the execution team is in the process of securing the headset to the condemned. The condemned has offered no resistance throughout. He’s just sitting there very passively, not moving. The leg band has been secured to the condemned’s right leg, and also the headset has been secured to his head.
Perspiration is now being wiped from the forehead of the condemned, and he is secure and ready for execution, with the exception of the hood being placed over his head and the wires being attached to the leg band and to the headset. The electrician now has entered the execution chamber and is in the process of securing the wire to the headset.
Unidentified voice: They’re moving very well. It’s a good time to do it right now. Marable?
Marable: Yes, sir?
Unidentified voice: Stand still. Mickey, put William Hill on.
William Hill: Hello?
Unidentified voice: William, OK. [Inaudible].
William Hill: OK.
Michael Bowers: Bill, it’s Mike. Have you got any reason why the execution shouldn’t be carried out?
William Hill: No, I don’t.
Michael Bowers: Thank you.
William Hill: Alright.
Marable: Colonel Low?
Colonel Low: Yes.
Marable: Mickey, the wires have been attached and secured to the headset and to the leg band. The perspiration has been wiped again from the condemned’s forehead and the hood is being placed on at this time. The face hood has been secured. The warden and all the execution team members have departed the execution chamber. Stand by for the warden’s last telephone check.
Colonel Low: Ralph, this is the commissioner.
Ralph Kemp: Yes, sir.
Colonel Low: There are no stays. You can proceed to carry out the official order of the court.
Ralph Kemp: Very well. On my count of three, press your buttons. One, two, three.
Marable: Colonel Low?
Colonel Low: Yes.
Marable: Mickey? The execution is now in progress. They – when the first surge entered his body, he stiffened and I heard a pop, as if one of the straps broke, but I can’t tell from this vantage point. He is still at this time sitting there with clenched fists, with no other movement. He’s slowly relaxing at this time. The first phase of execution is completed.
We are now entering the second phase. The second phase is completed at this time. We are now into the third and final stage. From my vantage point, it seems that the inmate has relaxed somewhat. His fists are still clinched, but there is no movement from the condemned. There is still no movement from the individual. He’s still just sitting there.
Unidentified voice: Is the third phase completed?
Marable: We’re still into the third phase. Third phase and execution is completed. We’re now into the five minutes lapse time. It appeared when the execution was completed and the power was off, he relaxed somewhat more than he was. It was pretty visible that he relaxed even more than what it seemed before.
Unidentified voice: Any reaction from the witnesses?
Marable: They’re sitting very still, just observing. I see one or two of the media writing notes, taking notes, but other than that, they’re just sitting, staring into the execution chamber. Colonel Low, Mickey?
Unidentified voice: Yes.
Marable: We have now completed two minutes of the five minutes lapse time. There’s still no – very little movement from any of the witnesses. No one even taking notes at this time. They’re just sitting there staring into the execution chamber.
Unidentified voice: Are we about ready to go in?
Unidentified voice: We’ve got a few more seconds.
Marable: Colonel Low, Mickey? We have no completed five minutes lapse time. Standby by for the – the doctors are no preparing to enter the execution chamber to check for life signs. The first physician has completed his examination. The second is now in the process of making his check. The second doctor has now completed his examination. The third and final doctor is in the process of making his check. The examination is completed. Standby for the superintendent’s time of death and confirmation of death.
Superintendent: Approximately 12:24, July the 12th, 1984, the court-ordered execution of Ivon Ray Stanley is carried out.
Marable: The superintendent has advised all witnesses that death did occur at 12:24 this date. He has instructed all witnesses to depart the witness room and to be transported back to the front of the institution. Curtains are drawn at this time. Colonel Low, Mickey?
Unidentified voice: Yes.
Marable: That completes it.
Unidentified voice: Marable, see if you can find what that snap, pop, that you were talking about a while ago.
Marable: I think it was just the electricity arc. I don’t think any strap broke or anything. He just jerked real hard and caused the electricity to arc.
Unidentified voice: Ok.
Marable: Now, the electrician is now in the process of taking the wire from the headset. They have removed the hood, the face hood, and are in the process now of taking or removing the headset. The headset has been removed. The electrician is now in the process of removing the electrical wire from the leg band. The electrical wire has been removed from the condemned’s right leg. He is being removed from the electric chair and this time and being placed on the stretcher. He is being removed from the execution chamber at this time, and the execution team members are taking him to the autopsy room. That’s all I can see, Colonel Low.
Colonel Low: Is the warden available?
Marable: Just a minute.
Ralph Kemp: Hello?
Colonel Low: You and your staff did an excellent job. We appreciate it very much.
Ralph Kemp: OK. We had a little bit of a scare. I don’t know if they relayed it to your or not, that –
Colonel Low: Pop.
Ralph Kemp: The popping sound.
Colonel Low: Yes.
Ralph Kemp: We were thinking what happened, because he sat there for that three minutes, that the water in the sponge on his leg ran out – by his foot, rather, by his foot. And we’re thinking that it was just like a bolt of lightning.
Colonel Low: Did you see anything?
Ralph Kemp: No. They said, Colonel Hardison and the other people in the witness room said they didn’t see anything like that. Now, I still feel good about it, really.
Colonel Low: It ran too smooth, Ralph, but don’t screw it up next time.
Ralph Kemp: Ok.
Joseph Thomas was originally given a death sentence, but his sentence was commuted to live in prison without parole.
On April 12, Clifford came by Thomas’ house to collect a premium. When he left, Thomas sent a friend over to Stanley’s house “to tell Ivon to come over to my house.” Stanley “came straight on over. And I told him, I asked him, I said, ‘You can get the insurance man if you want him…’” Stanley ran from Thomas’ house and caught up with Clifford.
On a pretext, he persuaded Clifford to return to the Thomas residence. Stanley was armed with a .22-caliber pistol which Thomas had just given him. When Thomas came out of the house, Stanley had already pulled the gun on Clifford, emptied his pockets and told him not to move and not to say anything.
Stanley, armed with the pistol, and Thomas, carrying a hammer, forced Clifford to go with them to the woods near the Thomas house. As they were walking, Clifford and Thomas exchanged some words. Angered, Thomas struck Clifford on the forehead with the hammer. Thomas walked back up to the hog pens near his house, got a length of rope, and returned to the woods where the other two were. Again leaving Stanley and Clifford alone, Thomas went back to where Floyd had parked his car and drove it away in search of a hiding place. He rifled the car, broke into the glove compartment and removed a .22-caliber pistol.
Leaving the car, he walked back to where he had left the other two men. When Thomas returned, he found Clifford tied to a tree. Stanley said, “You know, you know, we gonna have to, you know he knows.” Thomas responded, “Yeah.” “You know, we are gonna have to get rid of him,” Stanley said. Thomas said nothing, then went back to his house, got his mother’s shovel and returned. With the shovel, Thomas began digging a shallow grave, perhaps 11 inches in depth. Tiring, he gave the shovel to Stanley who finished “digging that insurance man’s grave.”
When they had completed the grave, Stanley went over and untied Clifford from the tree but left his hands bound. Considerable blood was flowing from Clifford’s forehead. Thomas ripped part of the shirt from the man’s back and stuffed it into his mouth to silence him. As they approached the grave, Stanley handed the gun to Thomas and told him, “You gonna do the rest…”
Taking the gun, Thomas turned his head away and fired five times at Clifford’s head. Stanley then took the shovel and hit Clifford twice. He handed the shovel to Thomas who beat Clifford with it. He hit him once in the stomach, twice in the head and one time in the chest. Clifford was still alive. Stanley then began to shovel dirt over the lower part of Clifford’s body. When he had partially buried the man, he handed the shovel to Thomas who then began to shovel dirt of Clifford’s head. Through all of this, Clifford was not only struggling for breath but, as the dirt began to cover his head, he attempted to say something. Twice, according to Thomas, the insurance man had pleaded for his life. When Clifford, still breathing, was completely covered in his shallow grave, the two men left, Thomas returning to his home.
At around 6 p.m., as Thomas was finishing supper, Stanley came over to his house and said that they had “better go move that car.” They drove the car down an old logging road where they eventually bogged down. The car was ultimately discovered by law enforcement officials.
At the time of Clifford’s last known collection he would have collected approximately $234. Beginning the next day, four anonymous phone calls were made to police telling them where they could find the car and giving misleading information about the victim. Through a telephone tap, one of these calls was traced to Thomas’ home. When police arrived, he was the only person at home. He subsequently admitted to making the call.
An autopsy disclosed a gunshot wound through Clifford’s upper lip; numerous lacerations to the scalp, head and body, apparently inflicted by the leading edge of a shovel; a depressed skull fracture pushed into the brain consistent with a blow from a hammer; brain hemorrhage; a broken sternum; and “a rather striking accumulation of both blood and dirt which was found in the bronchi of both lungs, scattered up and down the trachea and in the larynx and also in the upper-most part of the stomach…” Based on the autopsy, death was caused by swallowing a mixture of blood and dirt, vomiting it up, then inhaling the regurgitated mixture into the lungs. Clifford either strangled or suffocated on his own blood within about thirty minutes as he lay buried in the shallow grave.
Stanley and Thomas were arrested two days after the murder. Thomas confessed in intricate detail to his crime. His confession was tape-recorded seven days after the murder and was introduced at trial. He took the stand and testified that he had no memory of the incident after ingesting two pills given or sold to him by “some dude” in Macon. He also claimed no memory of the phone calls or of the confession given.
Ivon Stanley, 28, was sentenced to die by execution. He was pronounced dead at 12:24 a.m. on July 12, 1984. Stanley’s execution was recorded an the transcript is as follows:
Willis Marable (assistant warden): This is a recording of the execution of Ivon Ray Stanley, EF103603, July the 12th, 1984. Colonel Low, Micky?
Unidentified voice: Yes
Marable: The witnesses are now entering the witness room.
Unidentified voice: Okay.
Marable: The state witnesses have entered the witness room and have seated themselves on the front row. At this time, the news media witnesses are entering. All witnesses have arrived and have seated.
Unidentified voice: Let’s proceed. We can proceed if you’re ready.
Marable: Colonel Low, Mickey, the warden has entered the execution chamber at this time, approaching the microphone and is in the process of briefing all witnesses to remain quiet and to avoid any unnecessary movement. He is also advising them that medical assistance is available if needed. The warden at this time is in the process of confirming all witnesses. All witnesses have been confirmed. The warden is in the process of advising all witnesses that we will now proceed with the court-ordered execution of Ivon Stanley. Mickey, Colonel Low?
Unidentified voice: Yes.
Marable: We’re still waiting for the execution team members to bring him into the execution chamber.
Unidentified voice: We’ll just stand by and keep [inaudible].
Marable: Colonel Low, Mickey?
Unidentified voice: Yes.
Marable: The execution team is now in the process of escorting the condemned into the execution chamber. He is walking, unassisted, walked straight to the chair and has seated himself in it. One of the execution team members is now in the process of securing the back strap. The other members are in the process of securing the arm straps and leg straps. The back strap is secure at this time. Both arm straps are secure at this time. They are still in the process of securing the leg straps. At this time, the condemned has been secured in the chair. He is not moving. He is just sitting there very passively, staring out at the witnesses.
The superintendent has afforded the condemned an opportunity to make a last statement. He has declined to make a last statement.
Unidentified voice: Are you ready to die now?
Marable: He is afforded the opportunity for prayer. He declined this also. The warden is now in the process of reading the essential court order to the witnesses and to the condemned.
Ralph Kemp: The court has [inaudible] the defendant Ivon Ray Stanley on the 15th of January, 1977, in accordance to the laws of Georgia.
Marable: The condemned is still sitting there very passively, no movement, staring out to the witnesses. The superintendent is still in the process of reading the court order to the condemned. At this time, the superintendent has completed reading the essential court order.
The execution team members are now entering the execution chamber with the headset and the leg band. One member is in the process of securing the leg band to the fleshy part of the inmate’s right leg. Two members of the execution team is in the process of securing the headset to the condemned. The condemned has offered no resistance throughout. He’s just sitting there very passively, not moving. The leg band has been secured to the condemned’s right leg, and also the headset has been secured to his head.
Perspiration is now being wiped from the forehead of the condemned, and he is secure and ready for execution, with the exception of the hood being placed over his head and the wires being attached to the leg band and to the headset. The electrician now has entered the execution chamber and is in the process of securing the wire to the headset.
Unidentified voice: They’re moving very well. It’s a good time to do it right now. Marable?
Marable: Yes, sir?
Unidentified voice: Stand still. Mickey, put William Hill on.
William Hill: Hello?
Unidentified voice: William, OK. [Inaudible].
William Hill: OK.
Michael Bowers: Bill, it’s Mike. Have you got any reason why the execution shouldn’t be carried out?
William Hill: No, I don’t.
Michael Bowers: Thank you.
William Hill: Alright.
Marable: Colonel Low?
Colonel Low: Yes.
Marable: Mickey, the wires have been attached and secured to the headset and to the leg band. The perspiration has been wiped again from the condemned’s forehead and the hood is being placed on at this time. The face hood has been secured. The warden and all the execution team members have departed the execution chamber. Stand by for the warden’s last telephone check.
Colonel Low: Ralph, this is the commissioner.
Ralph Kemp: Yes, sir.
Colonel Low: There are no stays. You can proceed to carry out the official order of the court.
Ralph Kemp: Very well. On my count of three, press your buttons. One, two, three.
Marable: Colonel Low?
Colonel Low: Yes.
Marable: Mickey? The execution is now in progress. They – when the first surge entered his body, he stiffened and I heard a pop, as if one of the straps broke, but I can’t tell from this vantage point. He is still at this time sitting there with clenched fists, with no other movement. He’s slowly relaxing at this time. The first phase of execution is completed.
We are now entering the second phase. The second phase is completed at this time. We are now into the third and final stage. From my vantage point, it seems that the inmate has relaxed somewhat. His fists are still clinched, but there is no movement from the condemned. There is still no movement from the individual. He’s still just sitting there.
Unidentified voice: Is the third phase completed?
Marable: We’re still into the third phase. Third phase and execution is completed. We’re now into the five minutes lapse time. It appeared when the execution was completed and the power was off, he relaxed somewhat more than he was. It was pretty visible that he relaxed even more than what it seemed before.
Unidentified voice: Any reaction from the witnesses?
Marable: They’re sitting very still, just observing. I see one or two of the media writing notes, taking notes, but other than that, they’re just sitting, staring into the execution chamber. Colonel Low, Mickey?
Unidentified voice: Yes.
Marable: We have now completed two minutes of the five minutes lapse time. There’s still no – very little movement from any of the witnesses. No one even taking notes at this time. They’re just sitting there staring into the execution chamber.
Unidentified voice: Are we about ready to go in?
Unidentified voice: We’ve got a few more seconds.
Marable: Colonel Low, Mickey? We have no completed five minutes lapse time. Standby by for the – the doctors are no preparing to enter the execution chamber to check for life signs. The first physician has completed his examination. The second is now in the process of making his check. The second doctor has now completed his examination. The third and final doctor is in the process of making his check. The examination is completed. Standby for the superintendent’s time of death and confirmation of death.
Superintendent: Approximately 12:24, July the 12th, 1984, the court-ordered execution of Ivon Ray Stanley is carried out.
Marable: The superintendent has advised all witnesses that death did occur at 12:24 this date. He has instructed all witnesses to depart the witness room and to be transported back to the front of the institution. Curtains are drawn at this time. Colonel Low, Mickey?
Unidentified voice: Yes.
Marable: That completes it.
Unidentified voice: Marable, see if you can find what that snap, pop, that you were talking about a while ago.
Marable: I think it was just the electricity arc. I don’t think any strap broke or anything. He just jerked real hard and caused the electricity to arc.
Unidentified voice: Ok.
Marable: Now, the electrician is now in the process of taking the wire from the headset. They have removed the hood, the face hood, and are in the process now of taking or removing the headset. The headset has been removed. The electrician is now in the process of removing the electrical wire from the leg band. The electrical wire has been removed from the condemned’s right leg. He is being removed from the electric chair and this time and being placed on the stretcher. He is being removed from the execution chamber at this time, and the execution team members are taking him to the autopsy room. That’s all I can see, Colonel Low.
Colonel Low: Is the warden available?
Marable: Just a minute.
Ralph Kemp: Hello?
Colonel Low: You and your staff did an excellent job. We appreciate it very much.
Ralph Kemp: OK. We had a little bit of a scare. I don’t know if they relayed it to your or not, that –
Colonel Low: Pop.
Ralph Kemp: The popping sound.
Colonel Low: Yes.
Ralph Kemp: We were thinking what happened, because he sat there for that three minutes, that the water in the sponge on his leg ran out – by his foot, rather, by his foot. And we’re thinking that it was just like a bolt of lightning.
Colonel Low: Did you see anything?
Ralph Kemp: No. They said, Colonel Hardison and the other people in the witness room said they didn’t see anything like that. Now, I still feel good about it, really.
Colonel Low: It ran too smooth, Ralph, but don’t screw it up next time.
Ralph Kemp: Ok.
Joseph Thomas was originally given a death sentence, but his sentence was commuted to live in prison without parole.
Source: Justia US Law
Source: Democracy Now
Source: Democracy Now