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The Governor of North Carolina has commuted the death sentences of 15 inmates just before his term ends.
What’s the deal: In an announcement by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper on his final day in office, the death sentences of 15 inmates were commuted to life without parole, marking a significant reduction in the state’s death row population. The decision came after a review of clemency petitions submitted by 89 of the 136 inmates on death row. Governor Cooper stated that these reviews were among the most challenging decisions he faced during his tenure, noting that the death penalty represents the state’s most severe form of punishment. According to the Governor’s office, the commutations were made based on various factors such as intellectual disabilities, quality of legal representation, and behavior during incarceration. Those who received the commutations will still spend the rest of their time behind bars.

The 15 inmates granted clemency are Hasson Bacote, Iziah Barden, Nathan Bowie, Rayford Burke, Elrico Fowler, Cerron Hooks, Guy LeGrande, James Little, Robbie Locklear, Lawrence Peterson, William Robinson, Christopher Roseboro, Darrell Strickland, Timothy White, and Vincent Wooten. Despite this reduction, North Carolina still has 121 inmates facing capital punishment.
One of the inmates granted clemency was Christopher Roseboro, who had been on death row since 1994 for the murder and rape of 72-year-old Martha Edwards in Gaston County. In March 1992, Roseboro broke into Edwards’ home, where he suffocated her to death and sexually assaulted her either during or after the attack, all while looting her home. In 2019, Roseboro’s attorneys argued that his intellectual disability made him ineligible for execution and cited ineffective legal representation during his trial. The state acknowledged some evidence of intellectual disability but argued it was insufficient to overturn his death sentence.
Governor reacts: In a statement, Governor Cooper said, “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.”