Governor Commutes Death Sentence, Cites Unfairness

0:00It's March 11th, and here's what's happening across the world right now. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey granted clemency to 75-year-old death row inmate Charles Sonny Burton on Tuesday, just days before his scheduled. Execution on Thursday. She commuted his death sentence to life in prison without parole. Burton was convicted of capital murder in a 1991 robbery at an auto zone store in Talladega Alabama, where store visitor Doug Battle was shot and killed. The crime happened on August 16th, 1991. Battle, a 34-year-old army veteran and father of four, walked in during the robbery. Testimony show Burton had already left the store when his accomplice, Derek DeBruce, shot Battle in the back. DeBruce later had his own death sentence overturned due to poor legal representation and got life in prison instead. He died behind bars. Ivey explained she could not in good conscience execute Burton when the actual shooter received life. This marks only the second time the Republican governor, who oversaw 25 executions, has shown

1:05mercy to someone on death row. She stressed the decision honors justice by matching punishments for the crime that took Battle's life. Reactions poured in from both sides. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall called it deeply disappointing, arguing Burton organized the robbery and shares full blame under state law. On the other hand, criminal justice advocate Alice Marie Johnson praised Ivey for courageous leadership focused on fairness over technicalities. Burton, who's been on death row since 1992, will soon move to the general prison population to serve out his life sentence. A Department of Corrections spokesperson has not said when the transfer will occur, but he remains ineligible for release. This story is made possible by our sponsor. See the episode description. Some people meditate, I just lay down and press play, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.