Alabama governor pardons robber days before execution

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday commuted the sentence of a 75-year-old death row inmate scheduled for execution on Thursday. Charles “Sonny” Burton was convicted of participating in a robbery of a Talladega auto parts store in 1991 that ended with the murder of bystander Doug Battle. While Burton participated in the robbery that led to Battle’s death, it was co-conspirator Derrick DeBruce who pulled the trigger. DeBruce initially received the death penalty, which was later appealed to life in prison without parole.

Ivey could not let the execution proceed in good conscience, given the circumstances, she said. Burton did not shoot or direct DeBruce to shoot the victim, while the actual triggerman was allowed to live out his life in prison, according to a widely reported statement. It would be unjust to execute Burton when the individual who actually pulled the trigger was spared, she added.

How is the public responding to the reprieve?

• Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall shared disappointment in Ivey’s clemency in a Tuesday statement. Burton is a murderer with blood on his hands, not a harmless old man, Marshall said. Marshall described the convict as a career criminal, citing how Burton organized the armed robbery and held a store manager at gunpoint. Alabama law recognizes the liability of criminal accomplices, and Burton doesn’t deserve special treatment because he’s old, Marshall said.

• The Council on American-Islamic Relations released a statement on Tuesday celebrating Ivey’s decision, describing Burton as a Muslim inmate who would have been executed during the last 10 days of Ramadan if the original sentence had been carried out. Ivey prevented a grave injustice since Burton did not commit the murder, CAIR attorney Britton O’Shields said. O’Shields characterized Burton as a man who changed his life and became a faith leader and mentor during his time in prison.

WORLD reached out to Ivey for comment. This story will be updated with any response received.