A death row inmate who was granted a second chance by former President Joe Biden is back in the spotlight for a chilling reason.
Thomas S. Sanders, who had his federal death sentence commuted, is now facing charges from the state of Louisiana over the brutal murder of 12-year-old Lexis Kaye Roberts in 2010.
New Charges After Federal Conviction
On April 14, 2025, Sanders was indicted by a Louisiana state grand jury for the shocking murder of Lexis, following his earlier conviction at the federal level in 2014.
The new charges come after Biden commuted Sanders’ death sentence in December 2024, reducing it to life in prison.
This decision had already sparked significant outrage among conservatives, who criticized the move as undermining justice.
The Horrifying Details of the Crime
Sanders’ crime began when he struck up a romantic relationship with Lexis’ mother, Suellen Roberts.
Two months into their relationship, Roberts agreed to go on a trip to the Grand Canyon with Sanders and her daughter.
After the trip, Sanders fatally shot Suellen Roberts while traveling back from Nevada in the Arizona desert. He then kidnapped 12-year-old Lexis, keeping her captive for days as he drove across the country.
He ultimately shot Lexis four times and slit her throat in Louisiana, abandoning her body in the woods where it was discovered by a hunter.
Jurors Remember Lexis as a ‘Sweet, Vulnerable’ Girl
In Sanders’ federal trial, jurors heard from two of Lexis’ teachers who described her as a “shy but hardworking” girl who was “sweet, vulnerable, and innocent.”
The jury took only an hour to deliberate before returning a guilty verdict.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell called the case “heartbreaking,” noting the trauma Lexis endured, from witnessing her mother’s murder to being held captive and then killed.
State and Federal Responses to Biden’s Decision
Louisiana’s Seventh Judicial District Attorney, Brad Burget, emphasized that the state’s case against Sanders was not influenced by Biden’s commutation.
He pointed out that the federal authorities had originally deferred prosecution in 2010, and they had already delivered justice for Lexis.
However, the commutation by President Biden, which spared Sanders’ life, did not sit well with many.
Burget criticized Biden’s decision to spare the life of a convicted child killer.
Biden’s Commutation Sparks Backlash
Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of 37 men, including Sanders, drew sharp criticism from many, including a spokesperson for Donald Trump.
The spokesperson called it “abhorrent,” labeling the individuals affected as “some of the worst killers in the world.”
Trump, who has made no secret of his tough stance on crime, condemned Biden’s action and vowed that the rule of law would be restored under his leadership if elected.
The Political Debate Surrounding the Death Penalty
Trump, during his 2024 campaign, went as far as to advocate for the death penalty for those caught selling drugs, further highlighting the stark contrast in views on criminal justice between the two political figures.
As the debate continues, the tragic case of Lexis Kaye Roberts remains a poignant reminder of the impact of such decisions on victims’ families and public opinion.