Tag search result for: death penalty

Developers bent Easley's ear

bniolet — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 08:33:38 -0500

FASTER PERMITS: A small group of businessmen and developers gathered at a fundraiser for then-Gov. Mike Easley and prayed upon him to speed up coastal permitting. The result: Easley created a special review program that guaranteed permits faster. (N&O)

Perdue signs Racial Justice Act

bkrueger — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:34:43 -0400

Gov. Beverly Perdue signed into law this morning the Racial Justice Act, saying it will make sure that the death penalty in North Carolina will be "based on the facts and the law, not racial prejudice."

Racial Justice Act clears Senate

kkiley — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:57:58 -0400

Convicted felons will be allowed to challenge their death sentences on grounds of racial bias according to a law that passed the Senate on Wednesday night.

The N.C. Racial Justice Act, which passed by a vote of 25-18, would allow defendants to challenge death sentences using statistical evidence that shows that race was a factor in imposition of the death penalty at a local or state level. The bill still requires the governor's approval.

Death penalty bill gets final House vote

bniolet — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:28:37 -0400

The House voted in favor of a bill that would allow death row inmates to challenge their sentence as racially motivated.

Opponents criticized the bill saying it would allow a flood of unnecessary and frivolous challenges from every inmate.

Executions bill leads to emotional debate

bniolet — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:48:29 -0400

Judges would be allowed to consider whether racial bias played a role in the decision to seek or impose the death penalty, according to a bill on which the N.C. House voted Tuesday evening after a long and emotionally charged debate.

Racial Justice Act clears committee

bkrueger — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:27:06 -0400

The Racial Justice Act, which would allow challenges to death sentences based on race, narrowly cleared a House committee this morning.

The act would require defendants to prove that race played a “significant factor” in a prosecutor’s decision to seek the death penalty, or in a jury vote to impose the sentence, reports April Bethea of The Charlotte Observer. It allows the use of statistics to show, among other things, that the death sentence was sought or imposed more frequently for persons of one race versus others.

NAACP fights thaw in execution freeze

bniolet — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0400

The National NAACP wants the legislature to pass a bill that would let people facing the death penalty argue that race was a significant factor in prosecutors' decision to seek the death penalty or in juries' voting to impose it.

Execution provision yanked from bill

janestancill — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 15:13:32 -0400

A state House committee today removed a provision of the Racial Justice Act that would restart the execution process in North Carolina.

The bill would allow defendants to challenge death penalty sentences on grounds of racial bias. Last month, the state Senate added a provision that would restart lethal injections, which have been on hold for various legal reasons.

Supreme Court: Doctors can be present

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 01 May 2009 12:00:14 -0400

The N.C. Supreme Court has ruled that doctors can be present at executions.

In a 4-3 decision authored by Justice Edward Thomas Brady, the court found that the N.C. Medical Board could not prohibit physicians from participating in the state's capital punishment procedures.

Springsteen: Back N.C. bill

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:56:58 -0400

The Boss wants you to support a state bill.

At his concert Saturday night in Greensboro, rocker Bruce Springsteen is expected to encourage his fans to support the N.C. Racial Justice Act, which would allow courts to review death penalty cases for racial bias.