ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. – Death row inmates convicted of murder will be spared by President Joe Biden.

Biden announced this on Monday 37 of 40 federal death row inmates Their sentences will be commuted before he leaves office.

This includes two convicted murderers within our field of vision.

Nearly 20 years ago, a family of four was murdered on the St. Lucie County Turnpike.

Jose Luis Escobedo, his wife Yessica Guerrero Escobedo and their two sons, four-year-old Luis Julian Escobedo and three-year-old Luis Damian Escobedo, were shot. The boys died in their mother’s arms.

“Not only were they murdered, they were tortured,” St. Lucie County Sheriff Keith Pearson said.

Ricardo Sanchez and Daniel Troya were sentenced to death for the 2009 murders. Since then, they have been awaiting execution until today.

On Monday, President Biden decided to commute their sentences, commuting their sentences to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“You’re saying that these children who were murdered in cold blood in our community because of a cartel drug deal don’t deserve the death sentence, that’s just disgusting,” said Sheriff Pearson, who emotionally explained why he disagreed with the president’s decision .

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Others also have difficulty understanding why Biden chose to spare convicted murderers.

“I can’t stand people who hurt children. Why pick someone like that,” said Dave from Port St. Lucie.

Biden said the commutations – 37 in all – were consistent with the moratorium his administration placed on federal executions.

“I guess he’s just trying to send a message,” Alex Montero said.

Asked what kind of message he thinks the president wants to send, he said: “Against the death sentence, period. Know what they honestly should get if they deserve it.”

Sheriff Pearson agrees.

“This is probably one of the worst cases we’ve ever seen… If anyone deserves to die, it’s these two people,” he said.