Alabama Governor Commutes Death Sentence of Man Who Did Not Kill Anyone Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of Charles “Sonny” Burton to life without parole, halting his scheduled execution. The governor called the original sentence “unjust,” citing the disparity between Burton’s fate and that of Derrick DeBruce, the man who actually killed Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. Burton was one of six individuals involved in the robbery of an AutoZone store in Talladega. The incident resulted in the murder of 34-year-old Doug Battle, who was shot in the back by DeBruce while shopping. Despite being a key participant in the crime, DeBruce received a life sentence without parole. Burton, who did not pull the trigger, had already left the store before the shooting occurred. In a statement, Ivey emphasized the injustice of executing Burton while DeBruce lived out his sentence. “I cannot proceed in good conscience with the execution of Mr. Burton under such disparate circumstances,” she said. “It would be unjust for one participant in this crime to be executed while the participant who pulled the trigger was not.” The Alabama Attorney General, Steve Marshall, expressed disappointment, stating that Burton “has Douglas Battle’s blood on his hands.” He criticized Burton’s legal team for prolonging the case through “endless frivolous appeals” and argued that the death penalty should have been carried out as the jury and judges intended. Burton admitted to entering the store armed with a gun, stealing cash from a safe, and fleeing to a getaway car. Inside, DeBruce shot Battle, an act the state acknowledged in its response to Burton’s request for a stay of execution from the U.S. Supreme Court.#kay_ivey #derrick_debruce #alabama_governor #charles_sonny_burton #doug_battle
Charles ‘Sonny’ Burton is slated for execution. He hopes the Alabama governor will grant him clemency Charles Burton, a 75-year-old man with a wheelchair, is set to face execution this week for a 1991 murder he did not commit. Despite his role in a robbery that led to the death of Douglas Battle, Burton has spent three decades on death row. His case has sparked calls for clemency, with his family, jurors, and advocates arguing that his sentence is unjust. Burton, known as “Sonny” to loved ones, was convicted of capital felony murder in 1992 for his involvement in the robbery of an AutoZone store in Talladega, Alabama. While he was not the shooter, he was found guilty of participating in the crime that resulted in Battle’s death. During the 1991 robbery, Derrick DeBruce, one of the accomplices, shot and killed Battle. Burton’s attorneys argue that his punishment is disproportionate, as DeBruce later received a life sentence after his appeals succeeded. Burton’s clemency petition highlights his deteriorating health, including rheumatoid arthritis, a recent stroke, and a diagnosis of delusional disorder. His family and legal team have urged Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to commute his sentence to life without parole, citing his age, medical condition, and the lack of evidence linking him to the fatal shooting. Ivey’s spokesperson stated the governor has no plans to grant clemency, emphasizing that Burton’s conviction has been reviewed multiple times and upheld at every legal level. The victim’s daughter, Tori, and several jurors in Burton’s case have supported his request for mercy. Tori wrote to Ivey that her father “valued peace” and did not believe in revenge, arguing that his execution would not aid her healing. She expressed concern that Burton, now elderly, would face death without the benefit of a fair legal process.#charles_burton #kay_ivey #talladega_alabama #derrick_debruce #tori
