Issue Position: The Death Penalty

Issue Position

The application of the death penalty is one of the gravest responsibilities that the state has. Recent revelations about corruption within the SBI's crime lab have brought the innocence or guilt of many of those on death row into question. These revelations, coupled with the fact that the sentences of 4 innocent men have been overturned in the last 5 years make the need to re-examine North Carolina's use of the death penalty an imperative. Studies have shown that African American defendants are significantly more likely to be sentenced to death under our current system than white defendants. This is a grave situation and a serious miscarriage of justice. It is for these reasons that I co-sponsored the Racial Justice Act. The Racial Justice Act is a stride forward in making sure that race is not a factor when juries hand down the ultimate penalty.

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