A vigil for a man on death row was held at the governor’s mansion Monday night
A vigil was held tonight outside of the governor’s mansion asking for clemency for a man on death row.
Charles “Sonny” Burton is set to be executed on March 12th for the murder of Doug Battle during a 1991 armed robbery. However, Burton did not shoot or kill anyone, and was not in the building when the murder took place.
Many people came out to support him getting clemency by holding signs for cars passing by, and they listened to speakers as they spoke about Burton and the death penalty.
They hope that some of their work may be able to change the governor’s mind.
“This is not a case where people who are against the death penalty are standing up and saying ‘don’t let this execution go forward,’ like they do with every execution, and of course, people who are opposed to the death penalty are going to do that. That’s understandable. But, this is a case where even people who strongly support the death penalty, including 6 of the 8 living jurors, people who voted to not only convict Mr. Burton but voted to sentence him to death, are now supporting his commutation,” said Burton’s attorney, Matt Schulz.
“Everybody deserves a chance, especially a person that didn’t do anything. I just don’t think it’s fair that he gets the death penalty, and the killer got life. It’s just so wrong,” said Burton’s daughter, Annie Bradford-Harris.
The vigil will continue into tomorrow morning at 7 a.m.
