Bill requires videotaped interrogations

A bill would require police videotape their interrogations of murder suspects.

Under current state law, police are required to keep an audio recording of their interrogations in order to have a more accurate record of what was said.

But Rep. Kelly Alexander said that did not go far enough.

"There have been a number of cases around the country where people have debated about how confessions were gotten," said the Charlotte Democrat. "In most of the cases where you have drawn-out litigation there is no clear record of what happened."

He argued the requirement would help all sides: Preventing defendants from falsely claiming mistreatment, ensuring that police follow proper procedures and providing a clear record for judges and juries afterward.

He said he has received positive feedback from defense attorneys, but he did not know how the state's prosecutors feel about it yet.

"Obviously, this isn't foolproof, but what we're trying to do is make the system of justice as close to even-handed as we can," he said.