Bank Killer in South Carolina Seeks Compassionate Release Following Biden's Death Sentence Commutation

A South Carolina man who was convicted of brutally murdering two bank employees in 2017 is requesting a "compassionate release" just days after President Biden commuted his death sentence.

In September 2019, Brandon Council, 28, was convicted of the 2017 double murder of Conway bank employees Katie Skeen, 36, and Donna Major, 59. He was subsequently sentenced to death by a federal court in October 2019.

Thirty-seven federal inmates on death row, including Council, had their sentences commuted to life in prison by Biden.

On Friday, Council filed a motion in the U.S. District Court in Florence stating that he deserved a "compassionate release" due to the "severe, unnecessary, and unjustifiable psychological harm" he experienced while being permanently housed in solitary confinement since Nov. 4, 2019, as per records obtained by WBTW.

The American Bar Organization defines compassionate release as the procedure for inmates to request early release, either to community supervision or their communities, based on exceptional or compelling circumstances.

Rep. Russell Fry, R-S.C., has openly disagreed with Biden's decision to commute the death sentences, calling it "shameful."

Biden's decision to pardon 37 federal death row inmates, including 3 men from South Carolina who committed heinous crimes, continues to stun Americans across the country. This move is disgraceful and it is long overdue for America to return to a nation of law and order.

Biden's decision "disgraces victims' memories nationwide," according to Fry.

The clemency granted by Joe Biden for death row inmates has caused outrage and disgraced the memories of victims, such as Donna Major of Conway and Katie Skeen of Green Sea. This callous act shows a complete disregard for the pain of innocent families, and it has left many feeling betrayed. As the new year approaches, many are hoping that January 20 will bring an end to this painful chapter in American history.

Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Pa., agreed with Fry and labeled Biden's behavior as "senseless."

Meuser wrote on his X account that President Biden's decision to commute the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates is not only senseless but also an outrageous example of this administration's upside down and backwards ideology.

Major's family expressed their anger after Biden commuted her killer's death sentence before Christmas.

Heather Turner, Major's daughter, expressed her anger and frustration during a Christmas Eve interview, stating that she is still upset that one man can make a decision without considering the victims' experiences and feelings, causing hurt, frustration, and anger.

"She was shown no mercy at all. This man walked into the bank, never said two words to her. Shot her three times in total. He also shot her coworker, Katie Skeen, who was totally defenseless and unaware of anything happening," Major's husband, Danny Jenkins, added during the show.

"I can't even believe that this is actually happening…"

In Conway, South Carolina, a council member stayed at a motel near the CresCom Bank for a week and watched the movie "Get Rich or Die Tryin'" before shooting and killing both Skeen and Major.

At the time of the robbery, the council member had a prior felony conviction and admitted to the FBI agent that he intended to kill someone.

At the time of the murders, he had been on parole for a month and had committed his second bank robbery since leaving prison.

When President-elect Donald Trump returns to office, he intends to put an end to the Biden-Harris administration's suspension of federal executions.

On Christmas Day, Trump used his Truth Social platform to criticize Biden for his commutation decision.

Trump's post stated that their only hope for survival is receiving pardons from a man who is completely clueless about his actions.

Trump stated, "I refuse to wish a Merry Christmas to the 37 most violent criminals who were pardoned by Sleepy Joe Biden. Instead, I will say, GO TO HELL!"

Since 1927, the U.S. government has put to death only 50 inmates, compared to the more than 1,500 executed by individual states in the last 50 years. This includes notable cases such as Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh and Cold War spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

In Trump's first term, the most federal prisoners in a century received death sentences from the government, totaling 13.

This report was contributed to by Michael Ruiz and Taylor Penley of Planet Chronicle Digital, as well as The Associated Press.

Stepheny Price is a writer for Planet Chronicle Digital and Fox Business. If you have story tips or ideas, you can send them to [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]).