More than three decades after raping and murdering an elderly woman, Christopher Roseboro, on death row since 1994, on Tuesday saw North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper commute his sentence to life without the possibility of parole—as Roseboro was among 15 granted clemency by the outgoing Democrat.
Why It Matters
Opponents of the death penalty have urged Cooper to commute sentences of the 136 people on death row in North Carolina, converting them to prison terms. The Tar Heel State has not executed a death row inmate since 2006.
Cooper's decision comes in the wake of a series of death row commutations made at the federal level by President Joe Biden during the closing days of his administration. Unable to seek a third consecutive term, the governor's run will end next week.
Tuesday's action reduced North Carolina's death row population by more than 10 percent. Before Tuesday, the state had 136 death row offenders, with Cooper's office receiving clemency petitions from 89 of them.
What To Know
In March 1992, Roseboro murdered 72-year-old Martha Edwards in her home. The pathologist in the case indicated that the cause of death was consistent with smothering. Evidence presented at Roseboro's trial suggested that Edwards was also raped either while she was dying or after her death as Roseboro burglarized the house.
His co-defendant, Roger Bell, received a life sentence and is still incarcerated.
In 2019, Roseboro's attorneys argued that his intellectual disability made him ineligible for execution and sought a new sentence or trial, citing ineffective counsel during his 1994 court proceedings.
The state, represented by Danielle Elbert, acknowledged some evidence of intellectual disability but maintained it was insufficient to remove him from death row.
The case has remained unresolved for years, leaving questions about the fairness of his sentence unanswered.
What People Are Saying
Cooper, in a news release: "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."
Biden, in a news release about federal death row commutations: "These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my Administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder."
"Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss."
President-elect Donald Trump's reaction to Biden on Truth Social: "Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country. When you hear the acts of each, you won't believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can't believe this is happening!"
What Happens Next
Cooper will hand the gubernatorial reins to fellow Democrat Josh Stein on Wednesday when Stein is sworn in.
At the federal level, Biden is commuting the sentences of 37 inmates on federal death row, leaving all but three remaining: Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (Boston Marathon bombing), Robert Bowers (Tree of Life Synagogue shooting) and Dylann Roof (South Carolina church shooting).
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