Alabama Man on Death Row Insists He Didn't Pull Trigger

Execution Under Felony Murder Law Looms Despite Pleas for Clemency

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Charles "Sonny" Burton, a 75-year-old Alabama man, faces execution on Thursday for a murder he did not commit. Burton was involved in a 1991 robbery in Talladega, but it was one of his accomplices, Derrick DeBruce, who shot and killed a customer. Despite Burton's insistence that he did not kill anyone, he was convicted under the controversial felony murder doctrine, which holds all participants in a felony responsible for any deaths that occur.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing debate around the felony murder doctrine, which critics argue unfairly punishes individuals who did not directly cause a death. Burton's impending execution has sparked calls for clemency and renewed scrutiny of Alabama's use of the felony murder law.

The details

Burton was one of six men involved in the 1991 robbery, but he was not the one who shot and killed customer Doug Battle. That was done by his accomplice, Derrick DeBruce. Burton says he immediately left the store and waited in the getaway car, not knowing a murder was going to occur. However, he was still charged with felony murder and sentenced to death, while DeBruce received a lighter punishment after a court ruled his attorney provided ineffective representation.

  • The robbery and murder occurred in 1991 in Talladega, Alabama.
  • Burton has spent more than 30 years on death row.
  • He is scheduled to be executed by nitrogen gas on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

The players

Charles "Sonny" Burton

A 75-year-old Alabama man who was involved in a 1991 robbery but did not directly commit the murder of a customer during the crime. He has maintained his innocence and is scheduled to be executed on March 12, 2026.

Derrick DeBruce

One of Burton's accomplices in the 1991 robbery, DeBruce was the one who shot and killed customer Doug Battle. He initially received a death sentence, but it was later reduced after a court ruled his attorney provided ineffective representation.

Doug Battle

A 34-year-old customer who was murdered during the 1991 robbery in Talladega.

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What they’re saying

“I shouldn't die for something I haven't done. I didn't know a murder was going to happen. I would have stopped that.”

— Charles "Sonny" Burton (NBC News)

“Felony murder allows for everybody involved in the underlying offence to be treated by the legal system as if they committed an intentional murder.”

— Nazgol Ghandnoosh, Director of Research, The Sentencing Project (ibtimes.co.uk)

“He got me with my life for something stupid that he did. But I forgave him.”

— Charles "Sonny" Burton (ibtimes.co.uk)

What’s next

Unless a sudden order is handed out by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, Charles "Sonny" Burton will be executed by nitrogen gas on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

The takeaway

The case of Charles "Sonny" Burton highlights the ongoing debate around the felony murder doctrine, which critics argue unfairly punishes individuals who did not directly cause a death. Burton's impending execution has sparked calls for clemency and renewed scrutiny of Alabama's use of this controversial legal principle.