President Joe Biden’s recent decision to commute the death sentences of 37 federal inmates has sparked a wave of criticism from all sides, including from prominent figures like Senator Joe Manchin. Among those affected were Brandon Basham and Chadrick Fulks, who were convicted of the brutal kidnapping and murder of 19-year-old Samantha Burns back in 2002. Thanks to Biden’s commutation, their death sentences were changed to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Biden, who has pardoned 65 individuals and commuted over 1,600 sentences, made this decision as part of his effort to reduce the use of the death penalty in federal cases, except for those involving terrorism or mass murder.
However, the decision hasn’t been without its backlash. Senator Manchin, who spoke with the Burns family, voiced his strong disapproval, calling the commutation “horribly misguided and insulting.” He emphasized the pain and grief Samantha’s parents, Kandi and John Burns, are enduring, especially during the holiday season.
Critics like John R. Lott Jr. from the Crime Prevention Research Center also raised questions about the reasoning behind Biden’s commutation choices. Lott pointed out the inconsistency, noting that some mass murderers had their sentences commuted, while others who committed less severe crimes did not.
It’s clear that Biden’s decision has divided opinions, and it’s going to be a topic of debate for a long time to come.
