Post by marion on Jun 25, 2006 3:06:09 GMT -5
Debate over death penalty continues
6/24/2006 12:48 PM
By: Tim Boyum
RALEIGH -- The death penalty is a controversial subject around the country and North Carolina is no different. There's a push to stop executions and study them but others say there's no need.
Two overturned death penalty cases in recent years have fueled the fire for a moratorium.
“There's many that's still in prison on death row that's innocent,” said Darryl Hunt, who was wrongfully convicted.
“Every trial lawyer who's even tried any criminal case knows jurors frequently find people guilty who are not guilty,” said defense attorney Paul Whitfield.
“Over the past few years, we have had many headlines about death penalty convictions overturned,” said NC House Speaker Jim Black. “I believe we need to review our death penalty laws and protocols.”
Since 1910 when the state took over executions, North Carolina has executed 403 people. There are currently 171 people on death row. Ninety-two are black, 66 white and four are women.
In 1998 the state stopped electrocutions and made lethal injection the law. But in recent months, that method brought on controversy. Opponents believe defendants still feel pain before they die. The state agreed to have a brain monitor on Willie Brown the night of his execution.
Death penalty protestors outside
Raleigh's Central Prison.
“What I saw tonight does not change my concerns nor meet Judge Howard's concerns or in his first order,” said Brown’s lawyer, Don Cowans, said at the time.
Last year the legislature set up a special committee to take on the death penalty issue.
“This committee is not about doing away with the death penalty,” Rep. Beverly Earle (D-Mecklenburg) explained. “Anyone who says it is is obviously misleading the public.”
Instead, it's studying if laws need to be changed or if the state should stop executions to study the issue for two years.
"The committee ought to narrow the range of the capital statute,” added UNC Law Professor Jack Boger. “Right now we have a statute so broad that 700 people are potentially eligible for capital punishment."
But some lawmakers and state officials believe the death penalty doesn't need tweaking.
Raleigh's Central Prison
“We've increased our use of DNA,” said North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper. “We're making sure people who believe they're innocent have the right to prove their innocence.”
Branson Vickory III of the NC Conference of District Attorneys said, "Every person convicted of first-degree murder has a moratorium, it's between eight and fifteen years between the time they're convicted and the time they're actually executed."
“Nobody wants to execute a person who's not guilty but I think we really got a lot of good checks and balances and we got what we need,” added Rep. Russell Capps (R-Wake).
In recent months, the legislature made it clear nothing will get done with the death penalty this year.
“I do not believe we'll be in a position to make recommendations for the short session,” said Rep. Joe Hackney (D-Orange.)
In the meantime, those who simply want the death penalty abolished continue to protest outside the prison for each execution. Recently 10 protesters were arrested and convicted for trespassing.
“I would say they were on the property 20-25 feet,” said Sgt. Wes Starling of the State Capitol Police.
Death penalty protestor Bill Gural said, “If a greater wrong is going to take place then you have a moral obligation to stop it from happening.”
Another death penalty protestor, Beth Brockman, added, “You know it's true we crossed a line when we went to Central Prison but I feel that long ago a line crossed us, the line between justice and vengeance and the line between what's morally right and what's morally wrong.”
Even though the judge punished them, he made a point to give them credit for their cause.
“Having grown up in the 60's, I admire you completely,” the judge told them.
6/24/2006 12:48 PM
By: Tim Boyum
RALEIGH -- The death penalty is a controversial subject around the country and North Carolina is no different. There's a push to stop executions and study them but others say there's no need.
Two overturned death penalty cases in recent years have fueled the fire for a moratorium.
“There's many that's still in prison on death row that's innocent,” said Darryl Hunt, who was wrongfully convicted.
“Every trial lawyer who's even tried any criminal case knows jurors frequently find people guilty who are not guilty,” said defense attorney Paul Whitfield.
“Over the past few years, we have had many headlines about death penalty convictions overturned,” said NC House Speaker Jim Black. “I believe we need to review our death penalty laws and protocols.”
Since 1910 when the state took over executions, North Carolina has executed 403 people. There are currently 171 people on death row. Ninety-two are black, 66 white and four are women.
In 1998 the state stopped electrocutions and made lethal injection the law. But in recent months, that method brought on controversy. Opponents believe defendants still feel pain before they die. The state agreed to have a brain monitor on Willie Brown the night of his execution.
Death penalty protestors outside
Raleigh's Central Prison.
“What I saw tonight does not change my concerns nor meet Judge Howard's concerns or in his first order,” said Brown’s lawyer, Don Cowans, said at the time.
Last year the legislature set up a special committee to take on the death penalty issue.
“This committee is not about doing away with the death penalty,” Rep. Beverly Earle (D-Mecklenburg) explained. “Anyone who says it is is obviously misleading the public.”
Instead, it's studying if laws need to be changed or if the state should stop executions to study the issue for two years.
"The committee ought to narrow the range of the capital statute,” added UNC Law Professor Jack Boger. “Right now we have a statute so broad that 700 people are potentially eligible for capital punishment."
But some lawmakers and state officials believe the death penalty doesn't need tweaking.
Raleigh's Central Prison
“We've increased our use of DNA,” said North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper. “We're making sure people who believe they're innocent have the right to prove their innocence.”
Branson Vickory III of the NC Conference of District Attorneys said, "Every person convicted of first-degree murder has a moratorium, it's between eight and fifteen years between the time they're convicted and the time they're actually executed."
“Nobody wants to execute a person who's not guilty but I think we really got a lot of good checks and balances and we got what we need,” added Rep. Russell Capps (R-Wake).
In recent months, the legislature made it clear nothing will get done with the death penalty this year.
“I do not believe we'll be in a position to make recommendations for the short session,” said Rep. Joe Hackney (D-Orange.)
In the meantime, those who simply want the death penalty abolished continue to protest outside the prison for each execution. Recently 10 protesters were arrested and convicted for trespassing.
“I would say they were on the property 20-25 feet,” said Sgt. Wes Starling of the State Capitol Police.
Death penalty protestor Bill Gural said, “If a greater wrong is going to take place then you have a moral obligation to stop it from happening.”
Another death penalty protestor, Beth Brockman, added, “You know it's true we crossed a line when we went to Central Prison but I feel that long ago a line crossed us, the line between justice and vengeance and the line between what's morally right and what's morally wrong.”
Even though the judge punished them, he made a point to give them credit for their cause.
“Having grown up in the 60's, I admire you completely,” the judge told them.