McCrory Calls for Repeal of Death Penalty Moratorium

April 17, 2008

WAKE COUNTY NC NEWS -- Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court upheld a Kentucky law as constitutional that allows execution by lethal injection without a physician present. Gubernatorial candidate Mayor Pat McCrory immediately called upon the North Carolina Governor and Council of State to rescind its directive that enacted the current moratorium on the use of the death penalty.

McCrory stated, "Now that the U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in on this important matter, I call upon Governor Easley and the Council of State to rescind their directive that a physician must be present to carry out a death penalty by lethal injection. The law is now clear for us to change state policy and end the current moratorium on the death penalty. If they fail to act, it will be an attempt to end the death penalty without having to answer to the voters."

"Over the past decade there have been instances of criminals who committed murders in our state, and have been convicted and sentenced to death - but they have not been executed. The family members of those who were murdered, have waited too long to see justice served."

"My view on this matter has been consistent. As mayor, I vetoed a city resolution supporting a moratorium on legal executions. And as governor, I will again veto any legislation that bans the death penalty for those that are guilty. The citizens of North Carolina deserve to be safe, and ensuring the use of the death penalty is just one way we can help accomplish that."