President Joe Biden’s recent decision to commute the sentences of 37 federal death-row inmates to life imprisonment without parole has sparked outrage and disbelief, particularly among the families of the victims. Alex Snell, whose 20-year-old sister, Amanda Snell, was brutally murdered by one of the clemency recipients, Jorge Avila-Torrez, has called on Biden to explain his decision face-to-face. “I’d rather see it go back to the way it was, where he was sentenced to death,” said Snell. “He should have gotten that penalty.”
Jorge Avila-Torrez is no ordinary criminal. Described as a serial killer, he not only murdered Amanda Snell but also committed heinous crimes against others. In 2005, Avila-Torrez sexually assaulted and stabbed two young girls, Laura Hobbs, 8, and Krystal Tobias, 9, who had been riding bicycles near their homes in a Chicago suburb. These horrific acts led to the wrongful imprisonment of Laura’s father, Jerry Hobbs, for five years before evidence revealed Avila-Torrez as the true perpetrator.
The violence did not stop there. In 2010, Avila-Torrez kidnapped and raped a graduate student in Arlington, Virginia. He strangled her with a scarf and left her unconscious in the snow. Fortunately, she survived, thanks to a passerby who found her and sought help. His eventual arrest led to his confession about murdering Amanda Snell, revealing the chilling details of how he strangled her with a computer cord and hid her body in a locker.
Despite the gravity of Avila-Torrez’s crimes, President Biden commuted his death sentence. This decision was part of a broader clemency act affecting 37 out of the 40 inmates on federal death row. The move has left Alex Snell and other grieving families in disbelief. “Why does he need to get special treatment? He’s just going to risk other people,” Snell stated, expressing concern about the potential danger posed by such predators, even while imprisoned.
Biden’s sweeping clemency has sparked broader controversy, as it also benefited other inmates convicted of brutal acts. For instance, one killer bludgeoned a prison guard with a hammer while serving a life sentence for murdering his wife. Another recipient, Thomas Sanders, kidnapped and murdered 12-year-old Lexis Roberts, slashing her throat after killing her mother during a road trip.
Among the 37 inmates granted clemency, nine were convicted of murdering fellow inmates while already serving sentences for other crimes. Such cases amplify fears that these individuals could remain threats to those around them, even within the confines of prison walls. “It’s maddening to think they could still harm others,” Snell remarked.
While many families of victims seek answers, Biden’s clemency left three high-profile death-row inmates untouched: Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, Pittsburgh synagogue shooter Robert Bowers, and Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof. This selective approach has further fueled speculation about Biden’s motives behind the clemency.
Alex Snell speculates that political considerations may have influenced the decision. “All I can figure is that he’s trying to appeal to some people who might see him in a better light because of it,” Snell said. The lack of transparency about why certain inmates were spared has only deepened the frustration and confusion among the affected families.
In his brief statement explaining the commutations, Biden expressed sympathy for the victims but reaffirmed his stance against the death penalty. “Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden stated. He cited his conscience and career experience as a public defender, Senate Judiciary Committee chairman, and Vice President as the foundation of his decision.
Biden’s opposition to the death penalty aligns with his long-standing beliefs. He argued that allowing a new administration to resume federal executions, which he had halted, would contradict his moral and political values. “In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted,” Biden said, framing the decision as a continuation of his justice reform efforts.
Despite Biden’s rationale, families like the Snells feel betrayed. For Alex Snell, the commutation is a slap in the face to those who have suffered deeply due to these crimes. “What justification does [Biden] have for doing this? I want him to explain to us, to our faces, why he chose to give them mercy when they didn’t give other people mercy,” Snell demanded.
The president’s move has reignited debates over the death penalty and the balance between justice and reform. Critics argue that clemency denies justice to victims’ families and undermines the severity of the crimes committed. Supporters, however, view it as a step toward eliminating a practice they see as flawed and unjust.
For families like the Snells, however, the issue is deeply personal. They see the clemency not as justice, but as a cruel reminder of the irreversible pain inflicted by these criminals. “Justice is not being served,” Snell declared. As the debate continues, the president’s decision remains a polarizing and deeply emotional issue for many Americans.
Erica Carlin is an independent journalist, opinion writer and contributor to several news and opinion sources. She is based in Georgia.