Biden Commutes Death Sentences for 37 Inmates

WASHINGTON—On Monday, President Joe Biden declared that he is commuting the sentences of 37 individuals currently on federal death row.

These individuals, all found guilty of murder, will now receive life sentences without the chance of parole.

This announcement comes just weeks ahead of the 46th president’s departure from office.

“Throughout my career, I have worked towards reducing violent crime and promoting a just and effective legal system,” Biden remarked in a statement.

The president justified his action, emphasizing that the death penalty should be abolished at the federal level, except in instances involving terrorism and hate-driven mass murder.

“Let me be clear: I condemn these murderers, mourn for their victims, and feel deep sorrow for the families who have endured unspeakable and irreversible loss,” Biden stated.

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“However, influenced by my moral compass and my background as a public defender, chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Vice President, and now President, I am more convinced than ever that the use of the death penalty at the federal level should come to an end.”

During his campaign, President-elect Donald Trump made it clear he would reinstate the death penalty and broaden its application to cover child rapists and illegal immigrants who kill U.S. citizens and law enforcement officials.

Biden’s commutations are irreversible.

“I cannot, in good conscience, allow a new administration to resume executions that I have halted,” the president stated.

In July 2020, President Trump’s administration reinstated federal executions after a 17-year hiatus. During the last six months of his tenure, Trump oversaw the execution of 13 federal death row inmates.

After Biden assumed office, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a memorandum in July 2021, establishing a moratorium on all federal executions.

“The Department of Justice must ensure that all individuals within the federal criminal justice system are afforded their constitutional rights and treated fairly and humanely,” Garland stated. “This obligation is especially critical in capital cases.”

Biden indicated that his decision aligns with the moratorium instituted by his Justice Department on federal executions.

In recent weeks, Biden has encountered rising pressure from civil rights organizations to commute federal death sentences—a promise he made during his 2020 campaign—before Trump takes office.

“Today, I urge all of you to pray for the inmates on death row in the United States,” the Pope said in his weekly address earlier this December. “Let us pray that their sentences may be commuted or altered. Let us remember these brothers and sisters and ask the Lord for the grace to spare them from death.”

Biden had a discussion with the Pope on Dec. 19 and is scheduled to meet him during his trip to Italy from Jan. 9 to 12, as reported by the White House.

Complete List of Recipients of Death Row Commutations

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

Alejandro Enrique Ramirez Umaña