Be His Voice
Charles “Sonny” Burton has spent more than 30 years on death row for a murder he didn't commit. Sonny never pulled the trigger—the actual shooter received life in prison, but Sonny was sentenced to death. Today, Sonny’s health is rapidly deteriorating, and he remains confined to a wheelchair, living each day uncertain when his execution date might be set. Your voice can help save his life. Take urgent action now: support Sonny’s clemency campaign and demand justice.
Help Get Clemency for
Charles “Sonny” Burton
Take Action.
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Sign the Petition for Clemency
Sonny has exhausted all his appeals and could receive an execution date at any moment—time is running out. By signing this petition, you're not deciding on Sonny's innocence; you're standing up for fairness and justice. Your signature can help persuade the state of Alabama and Governor Ivey to grant Sonny clemency, allowing him to serve a sentence equal to that of the actual triggerman: Life Without the Possibility of Parole. Please act now—your voice could help save Sonny's life.
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Join Sonny's Team
Join a growing army of activists, community organizers, and people just like you who want to make a difference in the life of Sonny Burton and his family. Complete this form to be added to Sonny’s team and be among the first to receive our calls-to-action as we pursue clemency for Mr. Burton, as well as updates on the status of our campaigns, and prompts to amplify our message through social media campaigns and other online and in-person events.
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Adopt Sonny's Case
Calling all faith-based organizations & advocacy groups: Sonny is very strong in his faith. Your religious group can support Sonny by adopting his case and including him in your prayer chains, mentioning him during services, and writing to him in prison.
Sonny’s Story
Twenty-seven states allow executions of "non-triggermen" – people who participate in a felony that led to someone's death, even if they didn't carry out the killing themselves.
Alabama is one of those states, and Charles "Sonny" Burton is one of those men sentenced to die.
Charles Burton never killed anyone. He never arranged for anyone to die, a fact acknowledged by the state.
The identity of the triggerman, Derrick DeBruce, was never in dispute and DeBruce — initially sentenced to death — had his sentence commuted to life without parole, while Mr. Burton remains on death row for more than 30 years. Mr. Burton's case can only be described as a series of legal injustices by his former counsel, from a lack of presentation of mitigating evidence to the court to the lack of representation of African-Americans on Mr. Burton's jury.
With no further appellate process available to him, Mr. Burton is subject to receive an execution date at any time.
Sonny is a father, a brother, a son, and a friend. He's also a deeply spiritual man committed to guiding others away from the difficult path he's had to walk. Sent away as a child to live with an abusive father, Sonny understands what it means to face pain and loss. While he was incarcerated, his wife was tragically murdered—and the person responsible has since been granted parole.
Sonny’s family dreams of the day he can finally come home. While that dream may seem distant, clemency offers real hope and a vital first step toward justice.
You can make a difference right now. Please share Sonny’s story, sign his clemency petition, follow and engage with his journey on social media, and join Team Sonny to help amplify his voice and strengthen his campaign for clemency.