Alabama governor commutes death sentence of 75-year-old inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot

PBS NewsHour
by Kim Chandler, Associated Press
March 10, 2026
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2 min read

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Alabama Governor Ivey commuted a 75-year-old inmate's death sentence to life without parole.

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Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of 75-year-old inmate Thomas Burton, according to a statement from the governor's office. Burton was convicted in a 1993 murder where his accomplice fired the fatal shot. Governor Ivey stated she considered it "unjust" to execute Burton, given that the shooter in the case was not executed. This decision marks a significant development in Alabama's capital punishment system. The commutation means Burton will now serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

What's Being Done

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of 75-year-old inmate Thomas Burton.

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