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

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.