NC judge commutes man’s death sentence to life

DURHAM, NC (AP) — A Durham County judge has taken a convicted killer off death row, but the man will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Judge Orlando Hudson commuted the death sentence for Isaac Jackson Stroud on Friday, based on a filing by his lawyers contending that his poor mental health disqualified him from being eligible for the death penalty.

Durham County prosecutors didn’t object, since Stroud will remain in prison for life.

Stroud had earlier filed a motion under the Racial Justice Act, which allows prisoners to appeal death sentences based on claims of racial bias.

He was convicted in 1995 for beating his girlfriend to death in 1993. Jocelyn Mitchell was an art teacher and track coach at DurhamHigh School.

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