In a decision sparking outrage across the nation, President Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 of the 40 men on federal death row as part of a sweeping act of clemency. Among those spared was Brandon Council, a career criminal convicted of the 2017 brutal murders of two South Carolina bank employees, Donna Major and Kathryn Skeen, during a robbery.
Surveillance footage from the incident showed Council entering CresCom Bank in Conway, South Carolina, engaging in a brief exchange with Major before pulling a gun and fatally shooting her. Moments later, he turned the weapon on Skeen, killing her in cold blood. The heinous crime shocked the community and led to Council’s conviction and sentencing to death in 2019.
Biden’s Act of Clemency Sparks Outrage
President Biden’s commutation of Council’s death sentence has been met with fierce criticism, particularly from the families of the victims. Many see the decision as a betrayal of justice, undermining the severity of Council’s crimes and the suffering endured by the victims’ loved ones.
“This is a slap in the face,” said a family member of one of the victims. “Donna and Katie’s lives were taken in the most horrific way imaginable, and now the man responsible is being given mercy he never showed them.”
Critics argue that Biden’s clemency undermines the justice system, especially in cases involving such egregious acts of violence. Former President Trump’s administration had maintained a tough-on-crime stance, including resuming federal executions after a 17-year hiatus.
Council Demands Compassionate Release
Adding to the controversy, Council has now filed a motion in federal court seeking “compassionate release,” citing what he calls “extraordinary or compelling circumstances.” Council claims that his solitary confinement at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute constitutes psychological torture, referencing the United Nations Convention Against Torture in his filing.
Council’s motion argues that his administrative detention classification has led to permanent solitary confinement, which he describes as inhumane. Legal experts and victims’ advocates have condemned the move, calling it a blatant exploitation of the justice system.
“This man took two innocent lives in cold blood, and now he has the audacity to ask for freedom?” said a victims’ rights advocate. “Where is the compassion for the families who will never see their loved ones again?”
A Divisive Decision
The case has reignited debate about the Biden administration’s approach to criminal justice reform and the commutation of death sentences. While advocates for clemency argue that the death penalty is an inhumane form of punishment, opponents contend that it remains a necessary tool for ensuring justice in the most egregious cases.
The decision has also raised questions about the broader implications of commuting sentences for violent criminals, particularly those with records as severe as Council’s. Many fear that such actions could embolden other convicted criminals to seek similar relief, further undermining public trust in the justice system.
The Families’ Plea for Justice
For the families of Donna Major and Kathryn Skeen, Biden’s commutation and Council’s subsequent motion for release represent a devastating blow. They continue to call for accountability and justice, urging policymakers to remember the victims and their families when making decisions about clemency and sentencing reforms.
As the legal battle over Council’s request unfolds, the nation will watch closely, with many questioning whether justice is truly being served—or sacrificed—in the name of political agendas.
