GOP leaders urge end of de facto death penalty moratorium

The N.C. House and Senate minority leaders used their weekly media briefing to tout bills that would end North Carolina’s current impasse over capital punishment.

That impasse arises from a recent N.C. Medical Board policy to punish physicians who participate in executions. That policy follows court rulings that North Carolina prison officials must have a doctor present to move forward with capital punishment.

The N.C. Department of Correction says it has not been able to find a doctor willing to risk Medical Board sanctions, and GOP leaders say they’ve been told the issue might linger in courtrooms for more than a year.

• Rep. Tim Moore explains a bill designed to solve the problem.
• Sen. Phil Berger suggests legislators must take action.
• Rep. Paul Stam cites a recent study that suggests the current impasse could cost the lives of innocent North Carolinians.