MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) — Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday announced the execution time frame for Charles Lee Burton, setting the window to begin at 12 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2026, and expire at 12 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2026.
According to the governor’s office, the execution is scheduled to be carried out by nitrogen hypoxia.
In a letter sent to Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm, Ivey stated that while she does not currently plan to grant clemency, she retains the authority under the Alabama Constitution to issue a reprieve or commutation at any point before the execution is carried out.
Burton, 75, was convicted of capital murder in the death of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery at an AutoZone store in Talladega.
Court records show Burton was one of six men involved in the robbery. Testimony established that another defendant, Derrick DeBruce, shot and killed Battle. Burton was outside the store at the time of the shooting.
The robbery occurred Aug. 16, 1991. Battle, a 34-year-old Army veteran and father of four, had entered the store during the robbery. Witnesses testified he threw his wallet down, got on the floor and exchanged words with DeBruce before being shot in the back.
LaJuan McCants, who was 16 at the time, testified that Burton and others had exited the store when the fatal shot was fired, according to court reports.
