When you hear about someone facing a serious legal outcome, like the death penalty, you might wonder if there's any last resort. Clemency offers a final chance for mercy, but it's not the same as a full pardon, and understanding the difference is key to grasping its power.
Clemency is trending because of high-profile cases, like Sonny Burton's, where it becomes a crucial last-ditch effort to stop an execution.
Sonny Burton, convicted of murder in Texas, recently had his clemency petition denied by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, leading to his execution.