Sunday, November 27, 2011
Senate committee to consider Racial Justice Act repeal Monday
A special session of the N.C. General Assembly convened briefly Sunday night, with prayers, recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance and just a few announcements in each chamber.
The real action starts tomorrow, when lawmakers take on a bill that would repeal the Racial Justice Act. The bill is up for discussion and public comment before the Judiciary I committee, which meets at 2:30 p.m. in room 643 of the office building behind the legislature. Members of the public must sign up in advance to comment.
A Democrat-led legislature passed the Racial Justice Act in 2009, a law that has gained national attention, as it allows death-row inmates to challenge their sentences if they can prove that racial bias played a role in their trial, sentence or conviction. The law does not free inmate; it spares their lives if they can prove racial bias was a factor in their case. Instead of being put to death, inmates who proved racial bias influenced their cases would be allowed to spend their lives in prison without the chance for parole.
Nearly all of the 157 inmates on death row have filed appeals under the 2009 law. Those appeals are making their way through the courts.
Prosecutors across the state have railed against the law, and have pushed through the N.C. Conference of District Attorneys to repeal it. The organization renewed its efforts with conservative legislators two weeks ago to repeal the law.
Latest in Triangulator
-
Womble bill would compensate eugenics victims
Bill would establish $10 million fund to help compensate eugenics victims.
- May 16, 2012
-
State elections board clears Durham Partnership for Progress
Durham Partnership for Progress didn't coordinate with candidates, says state board
- May 7, 2012
-
Woodard: Election paperwork was sent, but not received
Mike Woodard says he learned Friday that the stack of forms he says he sent Feb. 22, within the required 10-day period, had not been received. "I'm going to take care of that today," he said.
- May 1, 2012
- More »
More by Author
-
Can the Durham DA's office regain respect after Nifong and Cline?
Twice in the past five years, Durham's top prosecutor has unexpectedly, disastrously, publicly imploded. Elected officials and other leaders are pondering how—or if—the DA's office can shed its bad rep.
- Mar 7, 2012
-
Judge to consider Cline's removal, or dismissal of case based on free speech
Judge could announce decision as early as Friday. If Cline is removed, she may appeal.
- Feb 29, 2012
- More »
Comments (0)