With 49 bills on the calendar in the Senate Judiciary I Committee, the committee continues its work tonight. S.B. 461, North Carolina Racial Justice Act, would allow that when race is a considerable factor in a death penalty case defendants can present evidence that the bias played a role in the decision to seek the death penalty or in their final sentence. The issue would be decided by a Superior Court judge.
The bill passed 12-6 and will go to the Senate floor next.
