MONTGOMERY — Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said he was “astonished” and “bewildered” that the governor commuted the death sentence of Rocky Myers.
Gov. Kay Ivey announced late Friday afternoon she had commuted the sentence of Myers, who was convicted and sentenced to death for the 1991 capital murder of Ludie Mae Tucker in Decatur.
In making the decision, Ivey said she believed Myers is guilty, but she’s not convinced he should be executed.
“In short, I am not convinced that Mr. Myers is innocent, but I am not so convinced of his guilt as to approve of his execution,” she said. “I therefore must respect both the jury’s decision to convict him and its recommendation that he be sentenced to life without parole.
Related story: Ivey commutes death sentence of man convicted in Decatur woman’s murder
Marshall said Ivey did not notify him before making the decision.
“I am astonished by Governor Ivey’s decision to commute the death sentence of Rocky Myers and am bewildered that she chose not to directly communicate with me about this case or her decision,” he said in a statement Friday night. “For the last 30 years, my office has zealously defended this case on appeal; and for 30 years, no court has reached the conclusion that the Governor reached after a cursory review.
“Despite my office’s thorough response to the governor’s request for information yesterday afternoon, her decision was announced less than 24 hours later.”
Marshall said his legal teams are saddened for Tucker’s family because of Ivey’s decision.
My capital litigation and victims’ services teams will go home tonight deeply saddened, not for themselves, but for the family of Ludie Mae Tucker. We will never stop fighting for justice,” he said.
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