Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey commuted the death sentence of Charles "Sonny" Burton to life without parole, saying the execution would be "unjust."

Burton, who did not kill anyone, was set to be executed Thursday.

Burton's death sentence was possible because of a legal doctrine known as felony murder, which allows prosecutors to treat anyone involved in certain felonies, such as robbery or burglary, equally responsible for a killing that occurs during the crime, even if they did not commit the act themselves.