Innocent man's death sentence has been lifted

By Asst. News Editor, Javohir Aminov

An innocent man was sentenced to death in Alabama over a killing he did not commit. However, after the government's interference with the matter, he was spared. 

Charles Sonny Burton, 75, was sentenced to death for a murder that occurred in a store in 1991, although he wasn’t present at the building. It is a fact that Burton and five other men robbed the store on Aug. 16, but he left the premises when his accomplices shot a customer.

The victim's daughter, who lost her father at the age of nine had pleaded for Burton to be suspended from legal penalty. She states “No one from the State has ever sat with me to explain why Alabama believes it must execute a man who did not kill my father.” 

Her father, Doug Battle, had gotten into an altercation at the time of the incident, which resulted in Derrick DeBruce shooting him in the back, while Burton had already left the store, which was known during this court case. DeBruce died in prison while serving his time for life. At first, he was sentenced to death, like Burton, but was commuted due to his lawyer’s ineffective performance.

After disagreements and conflict with the result of Burton's sentence, it was later established that he would receive life instead of death. Burton states “I didn't kill no one, true enough, but I made a mistake by being part of the crime.” This shows Burton’s remorse and realization that he was part of one crime, but never harmed anybody physically. 

With Burton's new sentence of having only a life sentence, Catholic leaders from Alabama are celebrating an innocent man's victory. This decision made Mobile Archbishop Mark Rivituso said he was grateful for Governor Ivey's decision and stated that he has chosen mercy and affirmed the dignity of human life, thus showing how American culture can reflect on their decisions, adding in the faith that people still hold true to themselves.