President Joe Biden has reduced the sentences of 37 of the 40 inmates on federal death row, converting their sentences to life in prison without the chance of parole.
This decision comes 28 days before he leaves office and aligns with his administration’s moratorium on federal executions, except in cases involving terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.
Among those remaining on death row are Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Dylann Roof, and Robert Bowers, who have committed high-profile crimes.
Biden criticized President-elect Donald Trump, stating he could not allow a new administration to resume executions that he had halted.
“I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system,” Biden said.
“Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.”
