North Carolina
Does my state have the death penalty?
Yes, North Carolina has executed a total of 40 people since 1976.
In 2000, a North Carolina legislative study commission conducted a preliminary examination of the state's death penalty. In their December 2000 report, they recommended that the 2001 legislature enact a statewide moratorium and conduct further study of the system's inequities. The Senate heeded the call in April 2003 and became the first southern legislative chamber to pass a moratorium bill. Though there were enough votes to pass it in the House, the Co-Speaker refused to call a vote and the bill died. Local organizers are now pursuing more city council moratorium resolutions to prepare for a renewed effort in the legislature in 2005.
There are currently 2 bills in the House that call for moratoriums and studies and 1 bill for a Study Commission on the death penalty.
What is my governor's position on the death penalty?
Governor Mike Easley (D) supports the death penalty.
How many people are on Death Row in my state?
There are currently 195 prisoners on Death Row in North Carolina. Of the 195 Death Row prisoners, 105 are black, 74 are white, 4 are Latino, 10 are Native American and 2 are Asian. Of the 195 Death Row prisoners, 4 of them are women.
Is there anything like the Center on Wrongful Convictions in my state?
The North Carolina Center on Actual Innocence is a non-profit organization that offers investigatory help to inmates who maintain their innocence. (PO Box 52446, Shannon Plaza Station, Durham, NC 27717-2446)
Was anyone on Death Row ever found innocent in my state?
Five innocent people were exonerated on Death Row in North Carolina. Samuel A. Poole was released in 1974 after serving one year, Christopher Spicer was released in 1975 after serving two years, Timothy Hennis was released in 1989 after serving three years, Alfred Rivera was released in 1999 after serving two years, and Alan Gell was released in 2004 after serving six years.
Are there any opportunities for volunteering in my state?
ACLU of North Carolina
People of Faith Against the Death Penalty
Charlotte Coalition for a Moratorium Now
Additional Resources
North Carolina State Info at DPIC
North Carolina State Info at Equal Justice USA
* Information updated annually. Last updated January 2006. For more information, go to the Death Penalty Information Center.
News
Death Penalty Stalls In NC House
August 04, 2005
A proposal to study the state's death penalty -- and give condemned inmates a shot...
The Boss Against The Death Penalty
July 25, 2005
RALEIGH, N.C. -- When the "Boss" comes to North Carolina next week, he will not...
NC's Death Penalty Plan Walks a Fine Line
July 19, 2005
With a state House vote on a death-penalty study coming soon, activists on both...
N.C. Legislators Rework Bill on Death Penalty Moratorium
June 17, 2005
ELIZABETH CITY — Jerry W. Conner shot a Gates County store clerk in the neck...
Kenya Set to Abolish Death Penalty
June 09, 2005
Just a reminder that the death penalty is under examination not only across the country...
Anti Death Penalty Advocates Might Be Losing Fight
June 08, 2005
With a vote looming, advocates for a two-year moratorium on executions thought they had the...
Black Plans Death Penalty Panel
June 03, 2005
The story continues in North Carolina: House Speaker Jim Black said Thursday that he would...
N.C. Postpones Death Penalty Vote
June 02, 2005
The latest on North Carolina's House vote to ban executions from WRAL.com. RALEIGH, N.C. --...
North Carolina Gets Opinionated
June 01, 2005
From The Charlotte Observer. Read the full OpEd. Make the death penalty fair N.C. should...
House Committee To Consider Two-Year Moratorium On Death Penalty
May 31, 2005
North Carolina's judiciary committe is condsidering the bill this morning. If it passes, it will...
Notable North Carolinians Call For Moratorium on Executions
May 23, 2005
A good showing for one of our target states, North Carolina: A diverse and bipartisan...
North Carolina Leaders Call For Death Penalty Moratorium
May 17, 2005
News from North Carolina's WRAL.com. RALEIGH, N.C. -- A diverse group of state leaders called...
Murder Survivor Speaks Against Death Penalty as Connecticut Legislature Takes Historic Vote
March 30, 2005
TCASK just sent out this press release. Connecticut's House of Representatives votes on a measure...
A Disturbing Article In A Local Newspaper Sparks A Debate About The Death Penalty
March 28, 2005
This is one of those news stories that David Letterman should get a hold of....
North Carolina's Mortatorium Lobby Day
March 25, 2005
If you are in Raleigh, North Carolina (or even near it), March 30th is Moratorium...
Bring on the Bishops
March 20, 2005
U.S. Roman Catholic bishops are preparing to begin what they call a major campaign to...
US 'Whittling Away at Death Penalty'
March 03, 2005
From the BBC: Legal experts say that the US Supreme Court's decision to prevent youths...
Democracy Now Segment About The Death Penalty
March 02, 2005
Today you can see a segment of Democracy Now with Amy Goodman about the landmark...
Supreme Court Bars Death Penalty for Juvenile Killers
March 01, 2005
In a huge move, The Supreme Court forbid the execution of minors (under 17) at...
Start A Resolution
February 24, 2005
Equal Justice USA shows us how easy it is to pass a moratorium resolution: Dozens...
Study Finds Innocence Issue Leads to Lower Death Penalty Support
February 22, 2005
Makes sense to me. Three-quarters of Americans believe that an innocent person has been executed...
Court TV Runs 'The Exonerated'
January 23, 2005
Airing: 9 p.m. Thursday, Court TV "At the end of the play, we would sometimes...
Keep the Letters Coming
November 20, 2004
To the editor: Since the recent elections, much has been written about our cultural and...
Low IQs and Executions
October 15, 2004
I'm curious what the law is for each state that has the death penalty with...
Project for Older Prisoners
September 24, 2004
George Washington University Law students work within the criminal process, particularly the prison and...
