On Thursday, Charles “Sonny” Burton, 75, is scheduled to be executed for murder by the state of Alabama.
However, it is an undisputed fact, admitted by the state’s Attorney General, that Burton never killed anyone.
Then why?
Burton’s death sentence is because of a legal doctrine known as felony murder. It “allows prosecutors to treat anyone involved in certain felonies, such as robbery or burglary, as equally responsible for a killing that occurs during the crime, even if they did not commit the act themselves.”
In 1991, Burton, carrying a gun, joined five other men in robbing an AutoZone store in Talladega. One of his accomplices, Derrick DeBruce, shot and killed a customer, Doug Battle.
While Burton had already left the store with cash he stole from a safe and fled to wait in the getaway car—and didn’t know a murder was occurring—he was convicted on the charge of felony murder.
Unless Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey or the Alabama Supreme Court extends mercy and grants a stay of execution, Burton will die on Thursday.
While we may disagree with the technicalities of the law regarding felony murder, this post is not about that issue, fairness, or capital punishment. When I heard the story, I was reminded of the wise man’s advice to his son in Proverbs 1:10–19.
My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.If they say, “Come with us,
Let us lie in wait to shed blood;
Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;Let us swallow them alive like Sheol,
And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;We shall find all kinds of precious possessions,
We shall fill our houses with spoil;Cast in your lot among us,
Let us all have one purse”—My son, do not walk in the way with them,
Keep your foot from their path;For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.Surely, in vain the net is spread
In the sight of any bird;But they lie in wait for their own blood,
They lurk secretly for their own lives.So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners.
As I reflect on that passage and Burton’s poor choice so many years ago, I’m reminded of other Bible warnings regarding our decisions, the choices of our friends, and the engagement in our activities and their impact on our lives.
In 1 Corinthians 15:33, the apostle Paul warns, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’”
The Psalmist penned, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers” (Ps. 1:1).
First Corinthians 5:11 warns us not to associate with anyone who calls himself a believer but is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunkard, or a swindler.
Furthermore, Solomon urged, “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by” (Prov. 4:14–15).
These passages warn of the dangerous influence of associating with wicked, immoral, and foolish people. Their attitudes and actions can corrupt our character and lead us down a path of destruction with far-reaching consequences that may impact us for years to come.
It is a lesson that parents need to teach their children. But it’s also a lesson that parents need to model before their children in their own choices of friends and decisions that affect their families.
While none of us may run with a gang, rob a store, or engage in lethal violence, we may flirt with danger spiritually through our choices of entertainment, the places we frequent, or the people we spend time with. These influences may dull our spiritual appetite and diminish our desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
While the world is constantly pressuring believers to conform to its mold, the Bible exhorts us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:1).
This calls for us to heed the counsel of Proverbs 4:23: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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