In a controversial decision just before Christmas, President Joe Biden commuted the death sentences of 37 of the 40 men on federal death row, once again prioritizing convicted murderers over their victims. Among those granted mercy was Brandon Council, convicted of the brutal double murder of Donna Major and Katie Skeen during a robbery in 2017.
Surveillance footage of the murders shows Council entering CresCom Bank in Conway, South Carolina, where he shot Major multiple times before turning his weapon on Skeen, who was defenseless and unaware of the danger. The horrific act shocked the community, and Council’s actions have left a permanent mark on the families of the victims.
Donna Major’s family expressed their outrage over Biden’s decision to commute Council’s sentence. On “Fox & Friends,” Major’s daughter, Heather Turner, shared her heartbreak: “I was angry. I’m still angry. I am upset that this is even happening… completely hurt, frustrated, and angry.” Her husband, Danny Jenkins, added, “She was shown no mercy at all. He shot her three times… then shot her coworker, Katie Skeen, who had no idea what was coming.”
The City of Conway also voiced its shock on Facebook, recalling the tireless efforts of law enforcement to bring Council to justice. The post emphasized the tragic impact of the murders on the community and the families affected, especially the Major and Skeen families.
While Biden’s decision has sparked outrage, it highlights ongoing debates about the death penalty and its application in the U.S. legal system. For families like Donna Major’s, the decision feels like a reopening of old wounds that may never fully heal.