(The Center Square) – In his final day in office, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper on Tuesday changed the justice resolved through legal prosecutions by taking 15 people off death row.
A release says “thorough review of detailed petitions for clemency” included input from families of victims, district attorneys and defendants. Review was “by the Governor’s Office.”
Each of the 15 will remain jailed, without the possibility of parole. The last execution in North Carolina was carried out in 2006.
Additionally, Cooper commuted the sentences of two people and granted pardons of forgiveness to two others.
Cooper, in a release, said his office reviewed 89 petitions for clemency for the 136 on death row before granting the 15.
No longer on death row, listed alphabetically, are Hasson Bacote, 38, convicted in Johnston County in 2009; Iziah Barden, 67, convicted in Sampson County in 1999; Nathan Bowie, 53, convicted in Catawba County in 1993; Rayford Burke, 66, convicted in Iredell County in 1993; Elrico Fowler, 49, convicted in Mecklenburg County in 1997; Cerron Hooks, 46, convicted in Forsyth County in 2000; Guy LeGrande, 65, convicted in Stanly County in 1996; James Little, 38, convicted in Forsyth County in 2008; Robbie Locklear, 52, convicted in Robeson County in 1996; Lawrence Peterson, 55, convicted in Richmond County in 1996; William Robinson, 41, convicted in Stanly County in 2011; Christopher Roseboro, 60, convicted in Gaston County in 1997; Darrell Strickland, 66, convicted in Union County in 1995; Timothy White, 47, convicted in Forsyth County in 2000; Vincent Wooten, 52, convicted in Pitt County in 1994.
Cooper, in the release, said, “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. 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.”
The commutations were for Brian Fuller, a 54-year-old in prison 27 years for second-degree murder in Rockingham County; and Joseph Bromfield, 63, in prison 34 years for first-degree murder in Cumberland County. Each is eligible for parole immediately.
Pardons of forgiveness were granted to Brandon Wallace, 43, convicted of cocaine and marijuana trafficking in Lee County in 2007; and Jack Campbell, 63, convicted of selling cocaine in Wake County in 1984.
