Summary
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of a 75-year-old inmate, Charles "Sonny" Burton, changing it to life in prison without parole. Burton was not the person who fired the fatal shot during a robbery in 1991; the actual shooter’s sentence had already been reduced to life in prison. Governor Ivey stated that executing Burton under the circumstances would be unfair.
Key Facts
- Alabama Governor Kay Ivey changed Charles "Sonny" Burton's death sentence to life without parole.
- Burton is 75 years old and was set to be executed this week.
- He was sentenced for a 1991 robbery where a customer, Doug Battle, was killed.
- Burton did not fire the shot; Derrick DeBruce did, and DeBruce's sentence was already reduced to life.
- Governor Ivey has approved 25 executions but commuted Burton's sentence citing fairness concerns.
- Execution by nitrogen gas was planned for Burton.
- Support for clemency came from Burton's family, former jurors, and Battle's daughter.
- Burton expressed sorrow and apologized to Battle's family for the incident.
