Trending Now - Alabama Man’s Death Sentence Commuted Before Execution

WHO:

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey

Charles “Sonny” Burton, 75-year-old inmate

Doug Battle, victim, 34-year-old Army veteran and father of four

Derrick DeBruce, triggerman in the robbery

LaJuan McCants, witness

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall

Alice Marie Johnson, former “pardon czar” under President Trump

Lois Harris, Burton’s daughter

Matt Schulz, assistant federal defender

WHAT:

Governor Ivey commuted Charles Burton's death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Burton was convicted of capital murder for the shooting death of Doug Battle during a robbery.

The shooting occurred during a robbery at an AutoZone auto parts store.

Burton was scheduled to be executed on March 12th, 2026.

This is only the second time Ivey has granted clemency since taking office in 2017.

DeBruce's death sentence was overturned on appeal; he was resentenced to life imprisonment and later died in prison.

Ivey stated, “I cannot proceed in good conscience with the execution of Mr. Burton” and “It would be unjust for one participant in this crime to be executed while the participant who pulled the trigger was not.”

Burton expressed gratitude to the governor, stating, “Just saying thank you doesn’t seem like much. But it’s what I can give her.”

WHERE:

Montgomery, Alabama

Holman Correctional Facility, Atmore, Alabama

AutoZone auto parts store, Talladega, Alabama

WHEN:

The robbery occurred on August 16th, 1991.

Ivey granted clemency on March 10th, 2026.

Burton was scheduled for execution on March 12th, 2026.

WHY:

Ivey believed it was unjust to execute Burton when the triggerman had his sentence reduced to life imprisonment.

Supporters and family members urged clemency for Burton, citing concerns about fairness in sentencing.

HOW:

Ivey used her clemency powers to commute Burton's sentence.

The state of Alabama began using nitrogen gas as an execution method in 2024.

(UPDATED March 10, 2026 23:07 UTC)

In a significant decision today, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted Charles Burton's death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole, just two days before his scheduled execution. Burton was convicted of capital murder for the 1991 shooting death of Army veteran Doug Battle during a robbery at an AutoZone store, and Ivey stated that it would be unjust to execute Burton when the triggerman had already received a life sentence. Expressing his gratitude, Burton said, "Just saying thank you doesn’t seem like much. But it’s what I can give her."