Alabama governor commutes death sentence of man who didn’t kill anyone
Alabama Governor Commutes Death Sentence of Man Who Didn’t Kill Anyone
Victim’s Daughter and Advocates Urge Mercy for 75-Year-Old Inmate
Alabama’s governor, Kay Ivey, has decided to spare Charles “Sonny” Burton from execution, reducing his sentence to life without parole. The original execution date was set for Thursday, and the governor called it “unjust” in her statement. Burton was part of a 1991 robbery at an AutoZone store in Talladega that led to the death of a customer, Doug Battle. Though Burton did not fire the gun that killed the victim, he admitted to entering the store armed and participating in the crime.
Legal Doctrine Fuels Controversy
The state’s argument relied on the felony murder rule, which holds that anyone involved in a felony like robbery can be held accountable for a death that occurs during the act. Despite this, the victim’s daughter and others pushed for clemency, emphasizing the disparity in outcomes. While Derrick DeBruce, one of Burton’s accomplices, was the actual shooter, he received a life sentence. Burton, who had already exited the store by the time the shooting happened, was scheduled for nitrogen gas execution—the method used in Alabama since 2024.
Opposition to the Decision
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed disappointment, stating that “Sonny Burton has Douglas Battle’s blood on his hands.” He argued that the inmate’s age should not exempt him from the death penalty, noting that he had prolonged his case through multiple appeals. “He chose to drag out his case, but the jury and judges have already determined his fate,” Marshall said.
“I cannot proceed in good conscience with the execution of Mr. Burton under such disparate circumstances. I believe it would be unjust for one participant in this crime to be executed while the participant who pulled the trigger was not,” Ivey said.
Burton’s case highlights the debate over proportional punishment, as he was sentenced to death for a role that did not involve the direct act of murder. His accomplice, Derrick DeBruce, shot Battle in the back during the robbery, leading to the victim’s death. The state acknowledged this in its response to Burton’s stay-of-execution request, but the governor’s decision to commute his sentence has sparked renewed discussion about the fairness of the death penalty in Alabama.
Abigail Brooks is a producer for NBC News. Dan Slepian is an award-winning investigative producer and a veteran of “Dateline: NBC.” Jackie Montalvo is a producer-editor for NBC News.
