Alabama Leader Commutes Death Sentence in 1991 Case

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has made the rare choice to commute the death sentence of Robin “Rocky” Myers to life imprisonment without parole.

Key Insights

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey cited conflicting evidence and lack of physical evidence in commuting Robin “Rocky” Myers’ death sentence.
Despite a jury’s 1994 recommendation for life imprisonment, Myers received a death sentence from Circuit Court Judge.
Attorney General Steve Marshall expressed astonishment and frustration with Ivey’s decision.
This marks the first execution commutation by Ivey since she took office.
The decision received praise from organizations advocating against capital punishment.

Governors Reasons Behind Commutation

The decision to commute the death sentence of Robin “Rocky” Myers to life without parole by Governor Kay Ivey followed concerns about his potential innocence. Myers, convicted for the 1991 murder of Ludie Mae Tucker, has consistently claimed he was not present at the crime scene. Conflicting and insufficient physical evidence, including the absence of a murder weapon or DNA, led Ivey to question the case’s integrity.

This controversial decision drew criticism from Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who expressed his bewilderment at Ivey’s actions. However, Ivey referenced the jury recommendations at Myers’ 1994 trial, which had suggested a life sentence instead of the death penalty, as a key influencing factor in her decision.

So very grateful tonight!!! https://t.co/EWvGFP7IBq

— Justice For Rocky Myers (@Justice4RockyM) February 28, 2025

Reaction from Legal and Public Spheres

The Alabama Attorney General’s office, led by Steve Marshall, decried the governor’s decision, stating it came after only a “cursory review” of the case dossier. Marshall underscored that over the past 30 years, the office diligently defended Myers’ conviction in various appeals without any court altering the death sentence.

Nevertheless, Governor Ivey maintained that too many questions about Myers’ guilt existed to justify the extreme measure of an execution. In her view, respect had to be paid to both the jury’s 1994 conviction and their recommendation for life imprisonment.

Support for the Governor’s Decision

The decision to commute Myers’ sentence was met with applause from organizations advocating for an end to the death penalty, including Death Penalty Action and Amnesty International. These groups have long pressed for reviews of similar cases and argued that Myers’ close brushes with execution underscore broader justice system failings. Public opinion has been equally split, with various stakeholders debating the implications of this unprecedented move by Governor Ivey.

Governor Ivey’s decision seems to reflect a profound contemplation, acknowledging the gravity of capital punishment while addressing unsettling inconsistencies in the case against Myers. She noted in her statement that while she continues to support the death penalty for some serious crimes, she cannot let his execution move forward given the doubts about his guilt. “I pray that the Tucker family may, in some way, find closure and peace knowing this case is closed, and Mr. Myers will spend the rest of his life in prison,” she said.