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Alabama governor commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Governor Kay Ivey commuted Charles Burton’s death sentence to life without parole, citing unfairness as the shooter received life while Burton faced execution.
- On Tuesday, Gov. Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama, commuted Charles L. Burton's death sentence to life without parole, halting his Thursday scheduled execution.
- The governor cited a sentencing disparity because evidence shows Charles L. Burton left before the shooting and Derrick DeBruce, the triggerman, received life imprisonment.
- The shooting occurred Aug. 16, 1991, during a robbery at an AutoZone in Talladega, where victim, a 34-year-old Army veteran and father of four, was killed; Burton was convicted of capital murder in April 1992 with a jury recommendation for the death penalty.
- Family members and jurors told the governor that Tori Battle, daughter of Doug Battle, urged clemency, six of the eight living jurors did not object, and Ivey notified the Attorney General of Alabama and John Hamm, Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner.
- The U.S. Supreme Court 1987 ruling on accomplice liability allows death sentences under 'reckless indifference', while the Alabama Supreme Court authorization for nitrogen gas executions framed Ivey's decision, and the Death Penalty Information Center documented at least 22 similar cases.
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Total News Sources48
Leaning Left12Leaning Right1Center28Last UpdatedBias Distribution68% Center
Bias Distribution
- 68% of the sources are Center
68% Center
L 29%
C 68%
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