Alabama Governor Sets Execution Date for Accomplice Burton
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. Gov. Kay Ivey set a March execution window for Charles “Sonny” Burton this week after the Alabama Supreme Court authorized scheduling in January and state court orders also. Burton, 75, was convicted in 1992 as an accomplice in a 1991 AutoZone robbery in which customer Doug Battle was killed; another defendant, Derrick DeBruce, fired the fatal shot and later received a reduced sentence. Supporters, including a victim’s daughter and several jurors, have petitioned for clemency and unveiled a billboard in Talladega. Officials plan execution by nitrogen gas beginning March 12. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.
Timeline of Events
- Aug. 16, 1991: Auto parts store robbery in Talladega, Doug Battle killed.
- 1992: Charles "Sonny" Burton convicted and sentenced to death as an accomplice.
- Years later: Derrick DeBruce had his death sentence reduced to life and later died in prison.
- January (per reports): Alabama Supreme Court authorized the governor to set an execution date for Burton.
- This week: Governor Kay Ivey set a March execution window and petitioners unveiled a Talladega billboard seeking clemency.
- Articles Published:
- 6
- Right Leaning:
- 1
- Left Leaning:
- 0
- Neutral:
- 5
- Distribution:
- Left 0%, Center 83%, Right 17%
Clemency advocates and anti-death-penalty organizations benefited from renewed public attention and a high-profile platform to press for policy review and executive intervention.
Charles "Sonny" Burton and his family suffered the prospect of execution, prolonged legal uncertainty, and renewed public scrutiny related to a decades-old case.
Coverage of Story:
From Left
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From Center
Alabama Governor Sets Execution Date for Accomplice Burton
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