Outgoing North Carolina Gov issues capital communtations and other notable clemency actions

I believe today is the last full day in office for North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper, and he is going out with two notable sets of clemency actions as reported in this press releases from this office:

“Governor Issues 2 Commutations and 2 Pardons of Forgiveness“

“Governor Cooper Takes Capital Clemency Actions“

Here is part of the statement regarding the capital clemencies:

Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced that he has commuted the sentences of 15 people on death row in North Carolina to life without the possibility of parole. He commuted these sentences after a thorough review of detailed petitions for clemency submitted by the defendants, input from district attorneys and the families of victims, and close review by the Governor’s Office. 

“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.”

No executions have been carried out in North Carolina since 2006 due to ongoing litigation. Before today’s commutations, North Carolina had 136 offenders on death row and the Governor’s Clemency Office received petitions for clemency from 89 of them. The Governor’s Office carefully reviewed, researched, and considered these 89 petitions for commutations, which included the 15 that were granted today.