In one of his final acts in office, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has commuted the death sentences of 15 men convicted of first-degree murder to life in prison without parole.

One of the inmates receiving clemency had challenged his sentence under the groundbreaking Racial Justice Act of 2009, a judge had yet to issue a decision in that case.

Before stepping aside from the highest office in North Carolina, Gov. Roy Cooper has made what he said is among his most difficult decisions.