The governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey, has commuted the death sentence of a 75-year-old inmate named Charles 'Sonny' Burton. This is her second clemency grant since taking office in 2017.
Burton was set to be executed this week for his role in the murder of Doug Battle during a store robbery in 1991. However, another man, Derrick DeBruce, actually shot and killed Battle after Burton had left the store.
Ivey stated that she could not fairly administer the death penalty to Burton when the person who actually committed the crime was allowed to live. She believes that for the continued viability of the death penalty, it must be administered fairly and proportionately.
This decision marks a significant break from her previous stance on capital punishment, which is evident in her statement: 'I firmly believe that the death penalty is just punishment for society's most heinous offenders, as shown by the 25 executions I have presided over as governor.'
Source: World news | The Guardian
Author: Sara Braun
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