Former federal prosecutor in death row case speaks on Biden commuting sentence

As a former federal prosecutor who worked tirelessly to secure justice for the victims of Brandon Council’s heinous crimes, it is truly disheartening to see President Biden’s decision to commute nearly all federal inmates facing execution, including Council. The brutal murders of Donna Major and Kathryn Skeen at the hands of Council in 2017 were senseless and devastating, and my heart goes out to their families as they process this news.

Donna and Katie were not just victims of a robbery gone wrong – they were beloved members of their community, loving mothers, and shining lights in the lives of those around them. The team of prosecutors and law enforcement officers who worked tirelessly to ensure that Council faced the consequences of his actions did so with dedication and a commitment to upholding justice for the victims.

Council’s cold-blooded actions on that fateful day at CresCom Bank in Conway, South Carolina, where he callously took the lives of two innocent women, cannot be forgotten. The brutal nature of his crimes, the stolen lives of Donna and Katie, and the pain inflicted upon their families are wounds that will never fully heal.

President Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of Council and 36 other convicted murderers on federal death row is a blow to the pursuit of justice and accountability for the victims of violent crimes. The legal system, the jury that carefully deliberated Council’s fate, and the families of the victims all deserve to see justice served in cases as egregious as this.

While some may see this decision as a political victory, for those of us who have dedicated our lives to upholding the law and seeking justice, it is a painful reminder of the challenges and complexities of our legal system. The victims, their families, and the memories of Donna and Katie must not be forgotten in the midst of political debates and policy decisions.

As we grapple with the aftermath of this decision, my thoughts and prayers are with the families of Donna Major and Kathryn Skeen, as well as all the victims’ families who have been impacted by this news. May their legacies of love, family, and faith endure, even in the face of such profound loss and tragedy.