Then-North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper commuted the sentences of 15 individuals on the state’s death row before leaving office. Cooper, a Democrat, cited the difficulty of such decisions and the severity of the death penalty. No executions have occurred in North Carolina since 2006 due to ongoing litigation. Among those whose sentences were commuted was Hasson Bacote, who argued racial bias in his conviction, and Rayford Burke, who also sought relief under the Racial Justice Act.
Another recipient of a commutation was Christopher Roseboro, who has been in prison for about 30 years after being indicted on first-degree rape and other charges. Darrell Strickland, convicted of manslaughter following an argument in 1995, also saw his sentence commuted. Vincent Wooten, Guy T. LeGrande, and several others also had their death sentences commuted to life without parole. Cooper’s actions follow President Biden’s orders to reclassify death sentences to life without parole for 37 convicts at the federal level.
Biden’s commutations have garnered mixed responses, with some commutations, including that of a judge jailed in a “kids-for-cash” scandal, sparking bipartisan outrage. Cooper’s 77 total pardons and commutations over his two terms are smaller compared to the nearly 700 from fellow Democratic Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. Only three men remain on federal death row after Biden’s actions. North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, also a Democrat, was sworn in to succeed Cooper as governor.
Some convicts who saw their sentences commuted expressed gratitude and a commitment to making a positive impact on society. Cooper’s decisions on the death row commutations have fueled discussions on the death penalty and criminal justice reform. Biden’s actions at the federal level, including exceptions for terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder cases, reflect his dedication to reducing violent crime and promoting a fair justice system. The commutations highlight the challenges faced by officials when making decisions on life and death penalties.
