Alabama Man Faces Execution Despite Not Pulling Trigger

Charles 'Sonny' Burton, 75, is set to be executed for his role as an accomplice in a 1991 robbery where a customer was killed, even though he did not shoot the victim.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 5:47pm

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Charles 'Sonny' Burton, 75, is facing execution in Alabama for his role as an accomplice in a 1991 robbery at an auto parts store where a customer, Doug Battle, was killed. While Burton was present during the robbery, he did not actually shoot or kill Battle. The other man involved, Derrick DeBruce, was the one who shot and killed Battle, but DeBruce was later resentenced to life imprisonment, leaving Burton as the only person facing execution despite not being the shooter.

Why it matters

This case raises fundamental questions about fairness in the application of the death penalty, as Burton did not directly kill anyone and is facing execution while the actual shooter received a lesser sentence. It highlights the ongoing debate around the use of the death penalty for accomplices who did not directly commit the murder.

The details

During the 1991 robbery, Burton said if anyone caused trouble in the store he would 'take care of it.' He forced the manager to the back to open the safe, but left the store before the shooting occurred. Witness testimony indicates Burton did not see the shooting take place. After the robbery, Burton asked the shooter, DeBruce, why he had shot the man. Burton's attorneys argue there is only evidence that he intended to participate in a robbery, not to harm anyone.

  • The robbery and shooting occurred on August 16, 1991.
  • Burton was convicted and sentenced to death in April 1992.

The players

Charles 'Sonny' Burton

A 75-year-old man facing execution in Alabama for his role as an accomplice in a 1991 robbery where a customer was killed, even though he did not pull the trigger.

Derrick DeBruce

The man who actually shot and killed the customer, Doug Battle, during the 1991 robbery. DeBruce was originally sentenced to death but was later resentenced to life imprisonment.

Doug Battle

A 34-year-old Army veteran and father of four who was killed during the 1991 robbery at the auto parts store.

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What they’re saying

“We hope and pray that Governor Ivey recognizes that this case slipped through the cracks. It would be wrong to execute a man who did not even see the shooting take place, after the state agreed to resentence the shooter to life without parole, and this is simply not the kind of case most people think of when they envision the death penalty being carried out.”

— Matt Schulz, Burton's attorney

“My father Doug Battle was many things. He was strong, but he valued peace. He did not believe in revenge.”

— Tori Battle, Victim's daughter

“It's absolutely not fair. You don't execute someone who did not pull the trigger.”

— Priscilla Townsend, Juror from 1992 trial

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Charles 'Sonny' Burton out on bail while his case is reviewed for potential clemency.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around the fairness and application of the death penalty, particularly for accomplices who did not directly commit the murder. It raises questions about whether executing someone who did not pull the trigger aligns with principles of justice and proportionality in sentencing.