Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey banned judicial override in 2017. Now, it’s time she finished the job: op-ed

This is a guest opinion column.

Governor Kay Ivey took a monumental step in 2017 when she signed legislation abolishing judicial override in Alabama. Now, the Governor has a unique opportunity to cement that legacy and uphold the integrity of our legal system by sparing the life of Jeffrey Lee, who is currently scheduled for execution on June 11th.

The Fight for Jury Integrity

When Alabama became the last state to end judicial override, it signaled a departure from an outdated practice that allowed a single judge to ignore a jury’s recommendation for life in prison and force a death sentence. As Lee’s attorney, MiAngel Cody, has noted, judicial override is widely viewed as unconstitutional because it effectively silences the voice of the people in favor of a single elected official. Juries are essential to a fair trial, and replacing peer judgment with a lone judge’s mandate runs counter to the democratic principles we hold dear.

Since 1976, over 100 people in Alabama were sentenced to death through this discretionary process, with 91% of those overrides used specifically to impose death sentences. Despite this practice being struck from the books nearly a decade ago, Lee remains under a death sentence that reflects these obsolete standards.

A Call for Mercy and Consistency

Lee’s case is particularly compelling, as his initial defense failed to account for critical mitigating factors, including mental illness, a history of childhood abuse, and drug addiction. He is one of roughly 26 individuals currently on death row due to this banned practice. We are urging Governor Ivey to apply the same standard of justice she demonstrated in March 2025, when she commuted the sentence of Robin “Rocky” Myers just two days before his scheduled execution. In that instance, the Governor rightfully chose to respect the jury’s original life sentence.

Over the last two decades, Lee has worked to transform his life, serving as a mentor to fellow inmates and a leader in his prison’s Christian ministry program. He recently preached at the Holman Correctional Facility’s Good Friday service, focusing on the power of redemption.

Nobody is dismissing the gravity of the crime committed, but the goal is to see that justice is served by upholding the jury’s decision of life without parole. Embracing restorative justice provides a path for accountability rather than simply causing further trauma. I encourage those who support our Constitution and the rights of all citizens to sign the petition for Lee’s clemency and urge Governor Ivey to restore the verdict his jury reached 26 years ago.

David Garlock serves as Board Chair of The Uplift, an organization dedicated to empowering the lives and communities of those impacted by the criminal-legal system. A national public speaker and reentry expert, David began his journey in prison-reform and rehabilitation advocacy after he and his brother received a 25-year sentence in Alabama for taking the life of their abuser.