Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has commuted the death sentence of Robin “Rocky” Myers to life in prison. Myers, 63, will now serve life without the possibility of parole instead of facing execution later this year. Governor Ivey cited doubts about Myers' guilt as the reason for her decision, stating that while she is not convinced of his innocence, she also cannot approve his execution due to uncertainties surrounding his case.
Myers was convicted of capital murder in the 1991 stabbing of Ludie Mae Tucker, 69, at her Decatur home. Despite maintaining his innocence, Myers was sentenced to death under Alabama's now-abolished system that allowed judges to decide death sentences. The case raised questions as no physical evidence linked Myers to the crime, and Tucker's identification of her assailant did not specifically implicate Myers.
The Alabama Supreme Court had authorized an execution date for Myers using nitrogen gas, but Governor Ivey's decision halted the process. This marks the first time Ivey has stopped an execution since taking office in 2017, despite presiding over more than 20 executions during her tenure.
Multiple concerns were raised about Myers' case, including failures in legal representation and potential racial bias in the jury composition. Juror Mae Puckett, who now believes Myers is innocent, expressed gratitude for Ivey's intervention, stating that the decision has put justice back in the hands of the jury.
Attorney Kacey Keeton, who has represented Myers since 2007, welcomed the news of the sentence commutation, emphasizing the injustices Myers faced throughout his legal proceedings. The last time an Alabama governor commuted a death sentence was in 1999, underscoring the rarity of such actions in the state.
