NC conservative group wants death penalty reviewed

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Some North Carolina political conservatives want state lawmakers to consider whether to replace the death penalty with life in prison without parole due to recently vacated murder cases.

The group North Carolina Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty said this week the General Assembly should re-evaluate capital punishment.

A judge two weeks ago ordered the release of half brothers – one the longest-serving death-row inmate and the other serving life in prison – after overturning their convictions related to an 11-year-old girl’s slaying. The judge cited new DNA evidence.

Republicans at the legislature passed a law last year designed to resume capital punishment after years of legal delays.

The group’s coordinator is Republican consultant Ballard Everett. Group members include current or former GOP chairmen in Nash, Wake and Durham counties.

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