Alabama Governor Commutes Death Sentence of Inmate Whose Accomplice Fired Fatal Shot

75-year-old inmate Charles 'Sonny' Burton's sentence reduced to life in prison without parole

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of 75-year-old inmate Charles 'Sonny' Burton, who was set to be executed this week even though he was not in the building when the victim was killed. Burton was sentenced to death for a 1991 robbery that resulted in the shooting death of Doug Battle, but another man was the one who actually pulled the trigger. The shooter's death sentence was later reduced on appeal to life imprisonment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex issues surrounding the death penalty, particularly when there are disparities in sentencing between accomplices involved in the same crime. Governor Ivey's decision to commute Burton's sentence reflects a growing national debate over the fairness and application of capital punishment.

The details

In 1991, Charles 'Sonny' Burton was sentenced to death for his role in a robbery that resulted in the shooting death of Doug Battle. However, Burton was not the one who actually fired the fatal shot - another man, whose death sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment on appeal, was the shooter. Despite this, Burton was still set to be executed this week until Governor Ivey stepped in to commute his sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

  • The robbery and shooting death of Doug Battle occurred in 1991.
  • Burton was sentenced to death for the crime in 1991.
  • The shooter's death sentence was later reduced to life imprisonment on appeal.
  • Governor Kay Ivey commuted Burton's death sentence on March 10, 2026.

The players

Charles 'Sonny' Burton

A 75-year-old inmate who was sentenced to death for his role in a 1991 robbery that resulted in a murder, even though he did not pull the trigger.

Doug Battle

The victim who was killed during the 1991 robbery.

Kay Ivey

The Republican governor of Alabama who commuted Burton's death sentence.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Kay Ivey, Governor of Alabama (Associated Press)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over the fairness and application of the death penalty, particularly when there are significant disparities in sentencing between accomplices involved in the same crime. Governor Ivey's decision to commute Burton's sentence reflects a growing recognition that the death penalty system may not always deliver equal justice.