Michael Hewlett, Author at The Assembly NC https://www.theassemblync.com/author/michael-hewlett/ North Carolina's digital magazine on place and power Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:29:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.theassemblync.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/cropped-TA_Mark_Black_Square-32x32.png Michael Hewlett, Author at The Assembly NC https://www.theassemblync.com/author/michael-hewlett/ 32 32 210991526 A Batson Rejection https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/criminal-justice/chambers-batson-jury-discrimination/ Mon, 25 Aug 2025 21:29:03 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=53412 The state Supreme Court declined to review claims of jury discrimination even though the prosecutor admitted to considering race.]]>

The state Supreme Court declined to review claims of jury discrimination even though the prosecutor admitted to considering race.

]]> 53412 An Extraordinary Exoneration https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/criminal-justice/nathaniel-jones-murder-chris-paul-grandfather/ Tue, 12 Aug 2025 23:34:21 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=52269 A judge overturned the convictions of four men accused as teens of murdering NBA star Chris Paul’s grandfather.]]>

A judge overturned the convictions of four men accused as teens of murdering NBA star Chris Paul’s grandfather.

]]> 52269 The Thread: A Reporter Notebook and Legal Limbo https://www.theassemblync.com/newsletter/the-thread-a-reporter-notebook-and-legal-limbo/ Mon, 04 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=51879 A Guilford County judge silenced a News & Record reporter and seized her notes. The same judge is blocking efforts to challenge the ruling.]]>

A Guilford County judge silenced a News & Record reporter and seized her notes. The same judge is blocking efforts to challenge the ruling.

]]> 51879 Stuck in Byzantine Limbo https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/nc-courts-news-and-record-reporter-ashley-watlington-simms/ Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=51824 An attorney for the News & Record says a judge and court officials are blocking efforts to challenge her ruling.]]>

An attorney for the News & Record says a judge and court officials are blocking efforts to challenge her ruling.

]]> 51824 An Inmate’s Unlikely Ally https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/criminal-justice/lexington-police-chief-charles-mcneair-governor-clemency/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=50697 Charles McNeair has been in prison for more than 45 years. He has a surprising new advocate for clemency: the police chief. ]]>

Charles McNeair has been in prison for more than 45 years. He has a surprising new advocate for clemency: the police chief. 

]]> 50697 A Ticking Clock for Wrongful Conviction Claims https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/criminal-justice/wrongful-conviction-motion-appropriate-relief-law-time-limit/ Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:05:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=50145 A new law sets a seven-year time limit to file a motion for appropriate relief. Opponents worry it could allow wrongful convictions to stand. ]]>

A new law sets a seven-year time limit to file a motion for appropriate relief. Opponents worry it could allow wrongful convictions to stand.

]]> 50145 Prosecutors Made a Rare Concession in a Murder Case. But Will It Matter? https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/criminal-justice/ruben-wright-taulbee-murder-conviction-video-footage/ Mon, 30 Jun 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=49572 Ruben Wright was a high-ranking Black Marine before his murder conviction. His lawyers say a main theory presented at trial has since collapsed.]]>

Ruben Wright was a high-ranking Black Marine before his murder conviction. His lawyers say a main theory presented at trial has since collapsed.

]]> 49572 Griffin Concedes to Riggs, Ending Six-Month Fight Over NC Supreme Court Race https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/nc-supreme-court-concession-jefferson-griffin-allison-riggs/ Wed, 07 May 2025 15:15:56 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=45789 allison riggsThe concession comes two days after a federal judge ordered the State Board of Elections to certify the 734-vote win for Riggs. ]]> allison riggs

The concession comes two days after a federal judge ordered the State Board of Elections to certify the 734-vote win for Riggs.

]]> 45789 Wake Prosecutor Accused of Withholding Evidence–Again https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/courts/wake-prosecutor-robert-stewart-da-evidence-nc/ Tue, 06 May 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=45639 A judge declared a mistrial after a prosecutor withheld incriminating information about a confidential informant.]]>

A judge declared a mistrial after a prosecutor withheld incriminating information about a confidential informant.

]]> 45639 A Fight Over a ‘Cop City’ in Matthews https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/law-enforcement/central-piedmont-community-college-cop-city-matthews/ Wed, 30 Apr 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=45267 A new lawsuit alleges that Central Piedmont Community College violated open meeting laws and shielded the public from information about a law enforcement training facility.]]>

A new lawsuit alleges that Central Piedmont Community College violated open meeting laws and shielded the public from information about a law enforcement training facility.

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