Alabama Governor Kay Ivey commuted Robin “Rocky” Myers’ death sentence to life in prison, citing doubts about his guilt. Myers, 63, will now serve a life sentence without parole instead of facing execution later this year. Governor Ivey, a supporter of the death penalty, emphasized her reservations about Myers’ guilt but respected the jury’s recommendation for a life sentence. Myers was convicted of capital murder in the 1991 stabbing of Ludie Mae Tucker, 69, at her Decatur home. Despite objections from the Attorney General, the governor’s decision halted Myers’ scheduled execution by nitrogen gas, marking the first time Ivey has intervened in an execution since taking office in 2017. The case raised questions about the evidence linking Myers to the crime, with conflicting testimonies and a lack of physical evidence. Juror Mae Puckett, now believing in Myers’ innocence, praised Governor Ivey’s decision, while Myers’ lawyer highlighted the systemic failures in his case.
“He hoped that one day he would witness some form of justice, compassion, and humanity.” The last instance of an Alabama governor granting clemency in a death penalty case dates back to the year 1999. Marshall penned a letter to the governor on Thursday to challenge the assertion of innocence and to advocate for the execution to proceed as planned. “I am taken aback by Governor Ivey’s choice to commute Rocky Myers’ death sentence and I am perplexed by her decision not to communicate directly with me regarding this matter,” Marshall declared in a statement on Friday. He went on to express that his team would leave work that evening feeling deeply disheartened, not for themselves, but for the loved ones of Ludie Mae Tucker.”
