North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) commuted death sentences for 15 inmates on his last day in office.
On Tuesday Cooper announced that he has commuted the sentences of 15 people on death row in North Carolina to life without the possibility of parole after a thorough review of detailed petitions for clemency.
“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,” said Governor Cooper. “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.”
Cooper’s office said no executions have been carried out in North Carolina since 2006 because of ongoing litigation.
Roy Cooper commuted the sentences of the following North Carolina inmates -ALL convicted of First-Degree Murder:
Hasson Bacote, 38, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Johnston County in 2009
Iziah Barden, 67, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Sampson County in 1999
Nathan Bowie, 53, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Catawba County in 1993
Rayford Burke, 66, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Iredell County in 1993
Elrico Fowler, 49, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Mecklenburg County in 1997
Cerron Hooks, 46, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Forsyth County in 2000
Guy LeGrande, 65, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Stanly County in 1996
James Little, 38, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Forsyth County in 2008
Robbie Locklear, 52, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Robeson County in 1996
Lawrence Peterson, 55, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Richmond County in 1996
William Robinson, 41, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Stanly County in 2011
Christopher Roseboro, 60, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Gaston County in 1997
Darrell Strickland, 66, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Union County in 1995
Timothy White, 47, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Forsyth County in 2000
Vincent Wooten, 52, convicted of First-Degree Murder in Pitt County in 1994.
Governor Cooper’s decision to pardon 15 inmates on death row comes after Joe Biden prioritized child killers and murderers on his way out the door by commuting the death sentences of 37 of the 40 men on federal death row.
