In a highly controversial move on his last day in office, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper commuted the death sentences of 15 inmates, all convicted of first-degree murder, to life without parole. Cooper announced the decision on Tuesday, citing “thorough review, reflection, and prayer” as part of the clemency process. The outgoing Democratic governor said the commutations ensure the inmates will spend the rest of their lives in prison, while eliminating the possibility of execution.
“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… I concluded that the death sentence imposed on these 15 people should be commuted.”
The decision affects inmates convicted in various counties across North Carolina for heinous crimes, many involving multiple victims or particularly brutal circumstances. Among the individuals whose sentences were commuted are Hasson Bacote, convicted in 2009 in Johnston County, and William Robinson, convicted in 2011 in Stanly County. All 15 had been sentenced to death for first-degree murder.
Cooper’s office noted that North Carolina has not carried out an execution since 2006 due to ongoing litigation over the state’s death penalty process. Critics of the death penalty argue that systemic issues, including racial bias and errors in legal representation, undermine its fairness.
However, opponents of Cooper’s decision are calling it an affront to justice and an insult to the families of victims. The Republican-led legislature and law enforcement groups have slammed the governor’s action, with some accusing him of sidestepping the will of the people and denying closure to those impacted by the murders.
The move mirrors a similar decision made earlier by Joe Biden, who commuted the death sentences of 37 federal inmates, further fueling debates about the future of capital punishment in the United States. Both Biden and Cooper’s actions highlight growing divisions over whether the death penalty remains a viable or ethical form of justice.
Critics point to the violent nature of the crimes committed by the inmates as justification for maintaining their death sentences. Supporters, however, argue that commuting their sentences to life imprisonment without parole reflects a more humane and consistent approach to punishment, especially amid ongoing litigation and concerns about the application of capital punishment.
Governor Cooper’s decision underscores the broader national debate over the death penalty, ensuring his final act in office will remain a polarizing issue in North Carolina politics.
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