N.C. Criminal Justice News and In-Depth Reporting https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/criminal-justice/ 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 N.C. Criminal Justice News and In-Depth Reporting https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/criminal-justice/ 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.

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‘Compromised’ Video Got Him Life in Prison. He Wants a New Trial.  https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/criminal-justice/james-richardson-new-evidence-surveillance-footage/ Mon, 18 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=52568 A prosecutor used low-quality video to convict a former pro-basketball player in a double murder. Now he's getting another shot in court.]]>

A prosecutor used low-quality video to convict a former pro-basketball player in a double murder. Now he's getting another shot in court.

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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.

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Columbus County Jail Beating Results in $975,000 Settlement https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/law-enforcement/columbus-county-jail-assault-settlement/ Tue, 05 Aug 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=51922 The 2022 assault raised concerns about safety and supervision under former Sheriff Jody Greene. But the jail has continued to have problems.]]>

The 2022 assault raised concerns about safety and supervision under former Sheriff Jody Greene. But the jail has continued to have problems.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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A Knotty Felon Voting Rights Case Reaches the Court of Appeals https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/courts/felon-voting-rights-court-of-appeals/ Thu, 15 May 2025 20:04:27 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=46342 N.C. has two conflicting laws on the books about whether convicted felons can be charged for voting before their rights are restored.]]>

N.C. has two conflicting laws on the books about whether convicted felons can be charged for voting before their rights are restored.

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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.

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N.C. Lawmakers Consider Bringing Back the Firing Squad https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/death-penalty-firing-squad-nc-legislation/ Tue, 29 Apr 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://www.theassemblync.com/?p=45148 While North Carolina hasn’t executed anyone since 2006, the bill would legalize more methods for carrying out the death penalty. ]]>

While North Carolina hasn’t executed anyone since 2006, the bill would legalize more methods for carrying out the death penalty.

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