In one of his final acts in office, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper commuted the death sentences of 15 men convicted of first-degree murder to life in prison without parole on Tuesday. The move reduces the state’s death row population by more than 10%, marking a significant shift in the state’s approach to capital punishment.
Cooper’s Final Act as Governor
Cooper, who has served as governor for two terms and was previously North Carolina’s attorney general for 16 years, emphasized that the decision followed a comprehensive review process.
“These reviews are among the most difficult decisions a governor can make, and the death penalty is the most severe sentence that the state can impose,” Cooper said in a statement. “After thorough review, reflection, and prayer, I concluded that the death sentence imposed on these 15 people should be commuted, while ensuring they will spend the rest of their lives in prison.”
The commutations come just as Cooper prepares to leave office, with Josh Stein, a fellow Democrat, set to be sworn in as governor on Wednesday.
Factors Behind the Commutations
Cooper’s office reviewed petitions from 89 of the 136 death row inmates in North Carolina. Key factors considered included the adequacy of legal representation, defendants’ conduct in prison, and disparities in sentencing compared to co-defendants.
The state’s death row population now stands at 121, making North Carolina the fifth-largest death row in the country.
Context of North Carolina’s Death Penalty
North Carolina is one of 27 states where the death penalty remains legal. However, no executions have been carried out in the state since 2006. A shift in prosecutorial discretion and legal challenges, such as those raised under the Racial Justice Act, have contributed to the decline in death sentences in recent years.
Historic Implications and Racial Justice Concerns
The 15 commutations include 13 Black men, highlighting longstanding concerns about racial bias in the state’s application of the death penalty. Advocacy groups praised Cooper’s actions as a bold step toward addressing these systemic issues.
Chantal Stevens, executive director of the ACLU of North Carolina, called the move “historic” and said it “paves the way for our state to move towards a new era of justice.”
Notable Cases Among the Commutations
Among those receiving clemency are Hasson Bacote, convicted of first-degree murder in 2009, who had been challenging his sentence under the Racial Justice Act. Guy LeGrande, convicted in 1993, whose execution was halted due to severe mental illness and Christopher Roseboro whose convicted of murder and rape in 1992.
These cases underscore the complexities of the legal and moral considerations surrounding capital punishment in the state.
Parallel Federal Action
Cooper’s decision coincides with President Joe Biden’s announcement last week to commute the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates, converting their punishments to life imprisonment.
Additional Clemency Actions
In addition to the death row commutations, Cooper commuted the sentences of two prisoners convicted of murder, making them immediately eligible for parole. One inmate has served 34 years, while the other has served 27 years.
