Statement from Dr. Will Boyd, Democratic Candidate for Governor of Alabama on the scheduled execution of Charles Lee “Sonny” Burton

From the Boyd campaign

March 3, 2026

All Alabamians deserve safe communities where they can make a simple trip to the local store without encountering violent crime. On August 6, 1991, in Talladega, AL, Doug Battle was just a customer who was shopping for auto supplies when he lost his life during the course of a robbery. This is the sort of tragedy that can call forth the greatest fears we have for our loved ones and ourselves.

The responsibility lies with our leaders to ensure our safety with equal and responsible application of the law. When a crime occurs, especially one that takes a life, we call for justice to be dispensed swiftly and fairly. 

In the case of Charles Lee “Sonny” Burton, the equitable application of justice is absent. Mr. Burton is currently scheduled for execution on March 12, 2026, for the murder of Mr. Battle. However, he is not the man that shot the gun that took a life that day. He had already left the building when the act occurred. The co-defendant in the case, who was the shooter, died while serving his sentence of life without parole, while Mr. Burton now faces death by execution.

 Let me restate this plainly, executing a man that did not commit the act that took a man’s life, while enforcing a lesser sentence to the one who did, is a miscarriage of justice that should not be allowed to stand. It is important to note that the victim’s daughter has already called for clemency, as have multiple jurors that handed down the verdict. They do not see these unbalanced sentences as equal justice under the law. 

Alabama law includes the felony murder rule that allows for the capital murder charge in cases like this. However, the law enacted in 1976 is one of the strictest in the nation. It is time for statute 13A-5-40 to be reviewed. Since 1973, over 200 Americans who were given the death penalty have been exonerated of their crimes. In some cases, this did not happen until after the sentence was already carried out. 

As a gubernatorial candidate who recognizes the gravity of this case, and the fact that both family and jurors are calling for clemency, I know that the executive role of this state requires those that will evaluate the full circumstances of a difficult situation like this based on fact, not fear. With that said, I am calling for clemency for Mr. Charles Burton.

Dr. Will Boyd, 

Democratic Candidate for Governor of Alabama

For more information on Dr. Boyd and his campaign for Governor, visit https://drwillboyd.com or follow him on social media.