Read the entire article. You might want to question our representative in Raleigh. Sen. Carl Ford (R-Rowan) said that “when someone has committed a heinous crime, and there’s proof of it without a shadow of a doubt, you can sign me up to pull the trigger.”

From the article: Newsline, 9/22/25 – by Galen Bacharier

Bill pursues new path to resume executions

The bill also aims to streamline aspects of the state’s capital punishment process, putting stricter rules on defendants’ ability to appeal and allowing courts to consider public transit as a potential “aggravating factor” when sentencing for violent crimes. And cases in which the death penalty is being sought would proceed in their county of conviction, rather than solely in Wake County.

…Executions have been on pause for almost two decades in North Carolina, amid continuing legal and regulatory challenges. But language inserted into the bill by Senate President Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) on Monday evening would allow the state to continue pursuing executions.

Lethal injection would remain the state’s default method of execution under the bill. But if a court finds the method to be unconstitutional, the Department of Adult Corrections would be required to adopt another method, one already adopted by other states. That could include the electric chair or a firing squad.

…Sen. Graig Meyer (D-Orange) said Berger’s amendment sets up “arbitrary timelines and shot clocks on judicial action” that “makes it more likely that we will execute innocent people.”

In response, Sen. Carl Ford (R-Rowan) said that “when someone has committed a heinous crime, and there’s proof of it without a shadow of a doubt, you can sign me up to pull the trigger.”

Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg), who met with Zarutska’s family after her death, said he had previously intended to vote for the bill. But Berger’s changes to the death penalty lost his support.

“Shame on each and every one of us,” he said.

Continue reading the entire article from NC Newsline: https://ncnewsline.com/2025/09/22/nc-republicans-spurred-by-charlotte-rail-killing-begin-push-for-criminal-justice-changes