Sonny Burton did not kill anyone, but Alabama put him on death row. Update: Ivey granted Burton clemency on March 10, commuting his death sentence to a life sentence.
Save Sonny! I live in Montgomery, Alabama and there are "Save Sonny" yard signs popping up everywhere. They've also been holding Mercy Monday vigils in front of the governors mansion. There's a documentary called "The Alabama Solution" that shows the horrors of our criminal justice system. The film was made by the prisoners using their cellphone cameras, so it gives you an unfiltered version of the reality under which they live and die. Thank you to everyone who is fighting for clemency for Sonny Burton. We're not asking for him to be freed, we just don't want the State of Alabama to kill him (especially using nitrogen suffocation). We must end the death penalty!
Let me get this straight. The actual shooter was granted life without parole the man who was outside and not responsible for the shooting faces execution. Yea this makes a hell of a lot sense! Hope his life is spared.
What the actual f*ck is up with that??!! I agree that this man must be spared! I don’t trust that governor. I believe I’m correct in saying that she allowed a death sentence to go thru even though there was evidence proving his innocence. How she can live with herself is beyond me. The death penalty is barbaric!
"DeBruce was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. But his sentence was overturned in 2014 after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the sentence because he received inadequate representation at trial. He was resentenced to life in prison, DeBruce died while incarcerated in 2020."
Please save Sonny. This entire situation breaks my heart. He deserves clemency. I pray Kay Ivey intervenes. The actual shooter was granted leniency. It is absolutely astounding, nonsensical and unfair for Sonny Burton to face the death penalty. He can serve time but he does not deserve to be suffocated. Killing is wrong, no matter who does it. Abolish the death penalty. #SaveSonny
People might be able to think of a situation where someone who did not literally pull the trigger had a level of guilt comparable to someone who did.
The facts here don't meet that (for the sake of argument) position. And, to take a very different case, this isn't someone who put out "a contract" on someone or some such thing.
It's hard to understand why he got the death penalty. Not THAT hard given the injustices of the system. But it's hard objectively. Alabama has screwed things up yet again.
This seems almost an act of non-consensual euthanasia. It's another case where an elderly prisoner, on death row for decades, with serious health problems, is set to be executed.
Just to highlight it, the victim's daughter opposes the execution. A punishment is in the name of society, so that does decide the matter, but it's notable. Those who support the death penalty in the name of the victims often skip over those who oppose it.
Nice word-play there, Chris, but you're beclowning yourself.
You surely know that Sonny most certainly did *murder* the victim, and you also most certainly know that the felony murder rule does not impose murder liability on "everyone involved" in the underlying felony, but only on (1) *major participants* in that crime who also (2) *act with reckless indifference to human life.*
For the sake of your reputation among reasonably well-informed people, stop behaving like an inveterate hack.
Save Sonny! I live in Montgomery, Alabama and there are "Save Sonny" yard signs popping up everywhere. They've also been holding Mercy Monday vigils in front of the governors mansion. There's a documentary called "The Alabama Solution" that shows the horrors of our criminal justice system. The film was made by the prisoners using their cellphone cameras, so it gives you an unfiltered version of the reality under which they live and die. Thank you to everyone who is fighting for clemency for Sonny Burton. We're not asking for him to be freed, we just don't want the State of Alabama to kill him (especially using nitrogen suffocation). We must end the death penalty!
Let me get this straight. The actual shooter was granted life without parole the man who was outside and not responsible for the shooting faces execution. Yea this makes a hell of a lot sense! Hope his life is spared.
What the actual f*ck is up with that??!! I agree that this man must be spared! I don’t trust that governor. I believe I’m correct in saying that she allowed a death sentence to go thru even though there was evidence proving his innocence. How she can live with herself is beyond me. The death penalty is barbaric!
"DeBruce was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. But his sentence was overturned in 2014 after the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the sentence because he received inadequate representation at trial. He was resentenced to life in prison, DeBruce died while incarcerated in 2020."
Thank you. I just wrote to Governor Ivey. This is horrifying.
So felony murder is first degree murder even without intent to do the act that led to the killing? Or even knowledge that that act would happen?
Save Sonny. Stop the execution. Give Sonny time with his family now.
This fascist regime enjoys cruelty. Hegseth even wants to be there to watch his execution. Barbaric and evil.
Well said Chris! Thank you for speaking out on such important issues!
Please save Sonny. This entire situation breaks my heart. He deserves clemency. I pray Kay Ivey intervenes. The actual shooter was granted leniency. It is absolutely astounding, nonsensical and unfair for Sonny Burton to face the death penalty. He can serve time but he does not deserve to be suffocated. Killing is wrong, no matter who does it. Abolish the death penalty. #SaveSonny
People might be able to think of a situation where someone who did not literally pull the trigger had a level of guilt comparable to someone who did.
The facts here don't meet that (for the sake of argument) position. And, to take a very different case, this isn't someone who put out "a contract" on someone or some such thing.
It's hard to understand why he got the death penalty. Not THAT hard given the injustices of the system. But it's hard objectively. Alabama has screwed things up yet again.
This seems almost an act of non-consensual euthanasia. It's another case where an elderly prisoner, on death row for decades, with serious health problems, is set to be executed.
Just to highlight it, the victim's daughter opposes the execution. A punishment is in the name of society, so that does decide the matter, but it's notable. Those who support the death penalty in the name of the victims often skip over those who oppose it.
Chris,
Sonny's execution will beis neither just or fair. We are in this together. Peace.
Christopher and family in SC.
Great news. Love the photo too. The Capri was a huge part of my childhood/teenage years.
Nice word-play there, Chris, but you're beclowning yourself.
You surely know that Sonny most certainly did *murder* the victim, and you also most certainly know that the felony murder rule does not impose murder liability on "everyone involved" in the underlying felony, but only on (1) *major participants* in that crime who also (2) *act with reckless indifference to human life.*
For the sake of your reputation among reasonably well-informed people, stop behaving like an inveterate hack.
You didn’t do what you think you did here, buddy.