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Biden commutes death sentences for federal inmates before leaving office
Biden commutes death sentences for inmates before leaving office.Less than a month before leaving the white house.Here the details.
By  Santiago Guevara
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Biden conmuta pena de muerte a reclusos antes de dejar el cargo
Foto: Shutterstock

Posted on 12/25/24 at 17:00

  • Biden commutes death sentences for inmates before leaving office.
  • Less than a month before leaving the white house.
  • Here the details.

Less than a month before the end of his term, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, announced this Monday the commutation of the death sentences of 37 of the 40 inmates convicted at the federal level.

This historic decision transforms their sentences into life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, according to the White House in an official statement.

The measure reinforces the moratorium imposed by Biden in 2021 on federal executions, and seeks to prevent the incoming administration, led by Donald Trump, from resuming executions under the current legal framework.

«In good conscience, I cannot step back and allow a new administration to resume the executions that I stopped,» the president said.

Biden commutes death sentences for inmates before leaving office

In his statement, Biden highlighted his lifelong commitment to building a more fair and effective justice system.

Although he expressed his condemnation of the crimes committed by the beneficiaries, he insisted that the death penalty should not be a common practice at the federal level,

Except in cases of terrorism or mass murders motivated by hate.

Among the most notable cases of this commutation are those of Daniel Troya and Ricardo Sánchez Jr., convicted in Florida for the murder of a family in a drug-related reckoning.

Other commuted inmate cases

As well as the Salvadoran gang member Jorge Ávila-Torrez.

He was convicted of the murder of two girls and a naval officer. This is reported by the EFE media.

Edgar Baltazar García also appears.

Garcia was sentenced for murdering an inmate in a Texas prison.

Biden takes different measures and considers pardons

This decision follows a series of actions taken by Biden this month, including pardoning nearly 1,500 people who had demonstrated successful rehabilitation.

In addition to the commutation of sentences for those who were in home confinement during the pandemic.

Biden has become the first president to grant categorical pardons to people convicted of marijuana possession and to LGBTQI+ former military personnel wrongfully convicted due to their sexual orientation.

«Let no one be mistaken: I condemn these murderers, I mourn the victims of their despicable acts, and I feel sorry for all the families who have suffered irreparable losses,» Biden said.

Biden’s legacy in matters of Justice

However, he reaffirmed that his experience as a public defender has convinced him that the judicial system must evolve towards more equitable justice.

Biden’s legacy on criminal justice will be marked by this decision, which could influence the future of the death penalty debate in the United States.

YOU MAY BE INTERESTED: 17-year-old Jorge Vásquez faces the death penalty for murder (PHOTOS)

As he approaches the end of his term on January 20, his stance against capital punishment remains one of the most symbolic actions of his administration.

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