In final hours in office, Cooper commutes sentences of 15 death row inmates
The 15 inmates will now serve life without parole. While there haven't been any executions since 2006, there remain 121 inmates on death row.
With his governorship coming to a close on Tuesday, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper commuted the sentences of 15 death row inmates to life without parole.
The move comes on the heels of pressure from racial justice advocates and religious groups opposed to capital punishment. It also follows similar action last week in which President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 of the 40 inmates on federal death row to life without parole.
Cooper, a former attorney general, said the decision to take 15 people off death row was difficult, but concluded it was appropriate after reviewing the inmates’ clemency petitions and input from district attorneys and victims’ families.
“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.”
No execution has been carried out in North Carolina since 2006. There remain 121 death row inmates, including 74 with outstanding clemency petitions.
Here are the 15 people whose sentences Cooper commuted on Tuesday:
Hasson Bacote, 38, convicted in Johnston County in 2009.
Iziah Barden, 67, convicted in Sampson County in 1999.
Nathan Bowie, 53, convicted in Catawba County in 1993.
Rayford Burke, 66, convicted in Iredell County in 1993.
Elrico Fowler, 49, convicted in Mecklenburg County in 1997.
Cerron Hooks, 46, convicted in Forsyth County in 2000.
Guy LeGrande, 65, convicted in Stanly County in 1996.
James Little, 38, convicted in Forsyth County in 2008.
Robbie Locklear, 52, convicted in Robeson County in 1996.
Lawrence Peterson, 55, convicted in Richmond County in 1996.
William Robinson, 41, convicted in Stanly County in 2011.
Christopher Roseboro, 60, convicted in Gaston County in 1997.
Darrell Strickland, 66, convicted in Union County in 1995.
Timothy White, 47, convicted in Forsyth County in 2000.
Vincent Wooten, 52, convicted in Pitt County in 1994.
On Wednesday morning, Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein will be sworn in as governor.