Alabama Governor Commutes Death Sentence for 1991 Murder Convict Hours Before Execution

Alabama. The death sentence of 75-year-old Charles 'Sonny' Burton, convicted in a 34-year-old murder case in the state of Alabama, has been averted following intervention by the Governor. Burton was sentenced to death for his involvement in a 1991 store robbery and murder.

Interestingly, Burton was not even inside the building when the murder occurred. Under Alabama law, if there is group involvement in a crime, an accomplice can be sentenced to death even if not directly involved in the killing. However, Governor Kay Ivey halted this sentence, which was scheduled for execution via nitrogen gas late Thursday night, commuting it to life imprisonment.