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Robust legislative debate over NC Racial Justice Act

By Douglas A. Berman

As detailed in this local article, which is headined "Death penalty bill provokes a battle: Measure moves in fractious House," legislators in North Carolina are engaged in a robust debate over a bill seeking to prevent racial bias from infecting the operation of the death penalty. Here are some excerpts: 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.  "This is a fairness bill," said Rep. Larry Womble, the Forsyth Democrat who helped champion the bill. "If we're going to kill people, we must be as fair and objective as we can.  This allows one more chance for justice to be blind...continue to full post

Full post as published by Sentencing Law and Policy on July 15, 2009 (boomark / email).