In one of his final acts in office, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper commuted the death sentences of 15 men convicted of first-degree murder to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Tuesday, reducing the state’s death row population by more than 10%.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) on Tuesday commuted the death sentences of 15 inmates to life in prison without the possibility of parole, coinciding with New Year’s Eve and his final day in office.

Before stepping aside from the highest office in North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper has made what he said is among his most difficult decisions.

One of the inmates receiving clemency had challenged his sentence under the groundbreaking Racial Justice Act of 2009, a judge had yet to issue a decision in that case.

Outgoing North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper on Tuesday announced 15 commutations of the death penalty to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Governor Roy Cooper commuted the sentences of 15 death row inmates to life without possibility of parole on New Year’s Eve following five years of vigils outside the governor’s mansion and a two-year sustained campaign to grant clemency to all inmates sentenced to death.

On his final day in office, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has commuted the death row sentences of 15 people to life without parole.