Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of a 75-year-old inmate who was set to be executed this week even though he was not in the building when the victim was killed.
People gather outside the Alabama Governor's Mansion in Montgomery, Ala., on Feb. 16, 2026, to urge Gov. Kay Ivey to grant clemency to Sonny Burton, who is scheduled to be executed on March 12, 2026. – Alabama Gov.
Kay Ivey on Tuesday commuted the death sentence of a 75-year-old inmate who was set to be executed this week, even though he was not in the building when the victim was killed. Ivey reduced Charles “Sonny” Burton’s sentence to life in prison without possibility of parole, marking just the second time the Republican governor has granted clemency of a death row inmate since taking office in 2017.for the 1991 shooting death of a customer, Doug Battle, during a store robbery. However, another man, Derrick DeBruce, shot Battle after Burton had left the building. DeBruce's death sentence was later reduced on appeal to life in prison. Ivey, who has presided over 25 executions, said she firmly believes in the death penalty as"just punishment for society’s most heinous offenders," but said it also must be administered fairly and proportionately. “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 in a statement.Battle was shot in the back during an Aug. 16, 1991, robbery of an AutoZone auto parts store in Talladega. Court testimony indicated that DeBruce shot Battle after Burton and other robbers had left the store. Battle had entered the store as the robbery was winding down and exchanged words with DeBruce.for the inmate, who is sometimes confined to a wheelchair. Multiple jurors from Burton’s 1992 trial were among those urging his life be spared. Battle’s daughter sent a letter to Ivey urging clemency, asking “how does it legally make sense” to execute Burton.Burton told The Associated Press last month that no one was supposed to be injured in the robbery and that he didn't know until later that DeBruce had shot anyone. “I didn’t know anything about nobody getting hurt until we were on the way back. No, nobody supposed to get hurt,” Burton said in a telephone interview from Alabama’s Holman Correctional Facility Burton said he wants to apologize to Battle’s family. “I’m so sorry. If I had the power to bring him back, I would. I’m so sorry,” Burton said. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.McAllen father speaks to the media after being released from ICE Detention Center▶Watching for Storms West of San AntonioEl uniforme de los Texas Cavaliers: Tradición que camina con FiestaSan Antonio couple stops swerving car, helps save unconscious driver on Loop 410Videos show what led to ICE shooting of San Antonio man on South Padre Island last yearRescue prompts new pet safety initiative1 dead, 1 injured in West Side apartment shooting, SAPD saysSAPD officer honored for heroic actions in Stone OakWATCH: Street flooding on East Side surprises drivers after heavy rainfall in San AntonioHours-long TSA lines in TexasSan Antonio Pets Alive! issues urgent call for puppy fostersWhen will construction on South Alamo Street close?How to prepare for severe weatherAustin police release video from deadly Sixth Street mass shootingBaptist Health System’s hybrid operating room credited with saving 82-year-old patient’s lifeYearslong drought could be the final straw for South Texas farmers🦍 Congo Falls gorilla exhibit at San Antonio Zoo to open this weekend🔥 Feast at the hottest all-you-can-eat Asian fusion experience on San Antonio’s north side! 🥢🍣🦀🔥 Feast at the hottest all-you-can-eat Asian fusion experience on San Antonio’s north side! 🥢🍣🦀David Elder tries entrees, drinks and desserts at Salsita at the RimDavid Elder tries the Tres Leches Strawberry Matcha Latte from La PanaderiaGross Angel: How a local rapper blends fighting games, comics and hip-hop
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