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Featured State News

Gov. Roy Cooper Takes a Stand: 15 Death Sentences Commuted on Last Day in Office

@SpectacularMag Staff

RALEIGH, NC — On his last day in office, Governor Roy Cooper took significant actions of clemency, commuting the sentences of 15 individuals on North Carolina’s death row and granting additional clemency measures. These include two sentence commutations for individuals convicted of murder and two pardons of forgiveness for individuals with drug-related convictions.

The governor’s office stated these decisions came after a thorough review by Cooper and experts from the Office of Executive Clemency and the Office of General Counsel.

“Ensuring careful review of petitions for clemency is a responsibility I take seriously,” said Gov. Cooper. “Each of these individuals is deserving of clemency as we continue our important work to protect our communities and improve the fairness of our criminal justice system.”

Commutations for Two Convicted of Murder

Two individuals convicted of murder received sentence commutations, making them eligible for parole:

  • Brian Fuller, 54 – Convicted on two counts of second-degree murder in Rockingham County, Fuller has served 27 years. He has maintained a good disciplinary record and worked steadily during his incarceration.
  • Joseph Bromfield, 63 – Convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in Cumberland County, Bromfield has spent 34 years in prison. Over that time, he completed a college degree, maintained a good disciplinary record, and worked consistently.

Both will now be considered for parole by the N.C. Post Release Supervision and Parole Commission.

15 Death Sentences Commuted to Life Without Parole

Gov. Cooper commuted the sentences of 15 death row inmates to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“The death penalty is the most severe sentence that the state can impose,” Gov. Cooper said. “After review, reflection, and prayer, I believe that these commutations are the right decisions.”

The 15 individuals and their convictions are as follows:

  • 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.

“This action sends a powerful message,” said Abraham Bonowitz, co-founder of Death Penalty Action. “Death by incarceration is a better way to frame the sentence these men now face, ensuring safety and accountability without the need for execution.”

Pardons of Forgiveness for Two Men with Drug Convictions

Gov. Cooper granted pardons to two men with drug-related convictions, recognizing their rehabilitation and contributions to society:

  • John (Jack) Campbell, 63 – Convicted of selling cocaine in Wake County in 1984. Since then, Campbell has earned a college degree, owned a small business, supported his family, and remained crime-free for four decades.
  • Brandon Wallace, 43 – Convicted in Lee County in 2007 for conspiracy to traffic cocaine and marijuana. Wallace has since earned both college and law degrees, been admitted to practice law, and served as president of his county’s bar association.

These clemency actions mark a pivotal moment as Gov. Cooper concludes his tenure, emphasizing fairness and rehabilitation in North Carolina’s justice system.