Biden commutes 37 death sentences, 2 from St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- President Biden today commuted the death sentences of 37 federal inmates to life imprisonment without parole, including two St. Louis men whose Hollywood-inspired bank heist left a security guard dead.

The president's action removes all but three inmates from federal death row. Among those receiving commutations are Billie Jerome Allen and Norris G. Holder, who were convicted in 1998 for the fatal St. Patrick's Day robbery of Lindell Bank & Trust in St. Louis.

The brutal 1997 heist, which the perpetrators admitted was inspired by the films "Heat" and "Set It Off," resulted in the death of Richard Heflin, a 46-year-old security guard and father of three. Armed with SKS rifles and wearing ski masks, Allen and Holder shot Heflin multiple times before he could draw his weapon. They escaped with $52,000 but were captured after their gasoline-doused getaway van crashed and burst into flames.

Ballistics evidence at their separate trials showed Allen's rifle fired the fatal shots to Heflin's abdomen and kidney. Holder told FBI investigators they had agreed not to shoot anyone. Both men received death sentences.

The decision aligns with Biden's campaign promises to end federal executions. All affected inmates will serve life sentences without the possibility of release.