Brandon Council, responsible for the 2017 murders of two South Carolina bank employees, has filed a motion for compassionate release just days after President Biden commuted his death sentence. Council argues that his solitary confinement since November 2019 constitutes "torture" and justifies his release. This move has sparked outrage from the victims' families and criticism from politicians.

Council's death sentence, along with those of 36 other federal inmates, was commuted to life in prison by President Biden. He was originally sentenced to death in 2019 for the murders of Katie Skeen and Donna Major during a bank robbery.

Council's request for compassionate release, a process allowing incarcerated individuals to seek early release due to extraordinary circumstances, has been met with strong opposition. Donna Major's family expressed their anger and frustration over Biden's decision, emphasizing the lack of consideration for the victims' families. Her husband, Danny Jenkins, recounted the brutal nature of the murders, highlighting the lack of mercy shown to his wife. Her daughter, Heather Turner, expressed anger and frustration that the decision was made without consulting the victims' families.

Politicians have also voiced their disapproval. Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) called the decision "shameful" and stated that it "disgraces victims’ memories." Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Pa.) labeled Biden's actions "senseless." Former President Donald Trump also criticized the commutations on social media, expressing his refusal to wish the inmates a Merry Christmas.

Council's actions leading up to the murders paint a disturbing picture. He spent a week observing the bank, even watching the movie "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" before committing the robbery. He admitted to the FBI that he entered the bank with the intention to kill. At the time of the murders, he was on parole for a prior felony conviction and had already committed another bank robbery since his release.

The Biden administration's decision to commute these sentences has reignited the debate surrounding capital punishment. The number of federal executions has historically been significantly lower than state executions, with the Trump administration carrying out 13 during his first term – the most in a century. This recent decision marks a stark contrast to that approach.