President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates on Monday, citing his conscience as the driving force behind his decision. He maintained the death sentences, however, for three individuals convicted of hate-motivated mass shootings and terrorism. These included Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (Boston Marathon bombing), Dylann Roof (Charleston church shooting), and Robert Bowers (Tree of Life synagogue shooting).
Biden, who had previously imposed a moratorium on federal executions, commuted the sentences to life imprisonment without parole. In a statement, he reiterated his lifelong commitment to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair justice system. While condemning the murderers and expressing sympathy for victims and their families, he stated his unwavering belief that the federal death penalty must be abolished. He emphasized his inability to allow a future administration to resume the executions he had halted.
The commutations followed Biden’s December 12th commutation of sentences for 1,500 individuals placed in home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as pardons for 39 individuals convicted of nonviolent crimes. This action, however, drew criticism from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and others for including a Pennsylvania judge convicted in the “Cash for Kids” scheme, a bribery scandal involving the sending of children to prison in exchange for kickbacks.
Advocates for abolishing the death penalty and some House Democrats had urged Biden to commute death sentences before the anticipated return of President-elect Donald Trump, who had expedited executions during his first term. Trump’s transition spokesman, Steven Cheung, strongly criticized Biden’s decision, calling it “abhorrent” and a disservice to victims and their families. He asserted that President Trump’s commitment to the rule of law would be restored upon his return to office.
The White House released the following list of the 37 death row inmates whose sentences were commuted: Shannon Wayne Agofsky, Billie Jerome Allen, Aquilia Marcivicci Barnette, Brandon Leon Basham, Anthony George Battle, Meier Jason Brown, Carlos David Caro, Wesley Paul Coonce, Jr., Brandon Michael Council, Christopher Emory Cramer, Len Davis, Joseph Ebron, Ricky Allen Fackrell, Edward Leon Fields, Jr., Chadrick Evan Fulks, Marvin Charles Gabrion, II, Edgar Baltazar Garcia, Thomas Morocco Hager, Charles Michael Hall, Norris G. Holder, Richard Allen Jackson, Jurijus Kadamovas, Daryl Lawrence, Iouri Mikhel, Ronald Mikos, James H. Roane, Jr., Julius Omar Robinson, David Anthony Runyon, Ricardo Sanchez, Jr., Thomas Steven Sanders, Kaboni Savage, Mark Isaac Snarr, Rejon Taylor, Richard Tipton, Jorge Avila Torrez, Daniel Troya, and Alejandro Enrique Ramirez Umaña.
(Note: The final section containing information about the Minnesota Reformer has been removed as it is unrelated to the main content about President Biden’s commutations.)