ATLANTA — A Fulton County Superior Court judge has stayed the execution of Jack Alderman, saying the Georgia Board of Pardons and Parole must provide him another hearing.

Alderman had been scheduled to be executed at 7 p.m. Tuesday for the death of his wife Barbara in Chatham County in 1974.

Alderman is the longest serving prisoner on Georgia's death row.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Melvin Westmoreland says although Alderman had received a hearing last October witnesses prepared to speak on his behalf had not testified. Westmoreland says if the state is prepared to impose "the extreme punishment of death" due process was critical.

Alderman and an accomplice were convicted of killing Barbara Alder to obtain $20,000 in life insurance.