Governor Commutes Death Sentence, Unequal Treatment Highlighted

0:00Birmingham's story is making news on March 10th. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced Tuesday that she commuted the death sentence of Charles Burton to life in prison without parole. Burton had been convicted in the capital murder of Doug Battle back in 1991 in Talladega. The killing happened during a robbery at an auto-part store. Another man, Derek DeBruce, pulled the trigger and shoot battle, but DeBruce received a sentence of life without parole. Ivey strongly supports the death penalty in his overseen 25 executions as governor. Still, she pointed out the unfairness of executing Burton while sparing the actual shooter. Burton himself did not fire the gun and had already left the store when the shooting took place. Matching the sentences ensures equal treatment for those involved in the crime. Before deciding, Ivey contacted a representative from Battles Family and notified the Alabama Attorney General. Burton will spend the rest of his life behind bars, and the governor expressed hopes for peace for the victim's loved ones.

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