DOJ rejects argument death row inmates can object to Biden’s commutation

In the United States, two inmates, Shannon Agofsky and Len Davis, sought to invalidate their commutations granted by President Joe Biden, who changed their sentences from death to life in prison. Both men filed emergency motions recently after the commutations were issued as part of a broader decision to commute the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates. They argued these changes could impact their ongoing appeals and their claims of innocence regarding their initial convictions. The Justice Department responded by stating that commutations are a legal act under presidential authority, and inmates possess no right to reject such decisions. U.S. District Judge James Sweeney recognized the novelty of the legal questions raised but decided to allow the motions to be discussed further with legal counsel due to their importance. Agofsky, convicted of multiple murders, expressed concerns that losing his death row status might strip him of necessary judicial scrutiny he believes is vital for examining the correctness of his sentence. Meanwhile, Davis maintains his innocence regarding the murder for which he was convicted and also contends that the federal court lacked jurisdiction in his case. This situation underscores the conflict between individual rights and presidential powers granted under the U.S. Constitution, particularly regarding reprieves and pardons. The legal community is observing as the court deliberates the implications of this case, which raises important questions regarding the limits of presidential commutation power and the rights of those affected by such decisions.