Governor Vetoes Bill That Rolls Back Racial Justice Act

Governor Bev Perdue has vetoed legislation that would roll back the Racial Justice Act.

Jessica Jones: The governor issued a statement late yesterday afternoon saying the bill willfully ignores the "pernicious effects of discrimination" in the justice system. Under the Racial Justice Act, passed in 2009, death row inmates can appeal their sentences using statistics to show evidence of racial bias. But the bill narrows the time frame and relevant statistics that a death row inmate could use for appeals. A spokesman for Senate Leader Phil Berger said Perdue is in "lock-step with the leftist elements of her party" who want to abolish the death penalty, although the governor herself says she supports the death penalty. The spokesman says the Speaker's office will work with both sides of the aisle to override the governor's veto.