RALEIGH (AP) -- A state senator is introducing legislation aimed at streamlining the process for executing those sentenced to death.
State Sen. Thom Goolsby (R-New Hanover) introduced a measure Wednesday that makes several changes to laws governing the administration and appeal of capital punishment, including the complete repeal of the state's Racial Justice Act already severely weakened by legislators last year.
Flanked by prosecutors from across the state, Goolsby, decried that none of the 152 inmates on North Carolina's death row have been executed since 2006 due to various legal appeals.
It's not immediately clear what, if any, impact the new bill would have on speeding up those pending cases. However, Goolsby said the legislature should send a strong message that the families of murder victims deserve justice.
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