Hickory Man With Pending Innocence Review Released On Parole

Monday, May 21 2012 by Gurnal Scott

Catherine Brand: A Hickory man has been released from prison as he continues seeking to prove his innocence in a 1987 rape case Gurnal Scott reports.

Gurnal Scott: Willie James Grimes served more then two decades in prison for rape and kidnapping. He walked out of prison this morning on parole..but his conviction still follows him. He had to register with the state as a sex offender. The North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission ruled last month that a review of Grimes' case is warranted. His attorney Christine Mumma says they discovered evidence that had been overlooked.

Christine Mumma: Several attorneys were told that all the evidence in his case was destroyed..that nothing was left. It was because of the commission's unique powers that the fingerprints from the case that were known not to match Willie were discovered.

A three-judge panel has been appointed by the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court to hear the review. No date for it has been set.

Raleigh Volunteer To Get Award For Tornado Recovery Work

Monday, May 21 2012 by Isaac-Davy Aronson

Eric Hodge: A Raleigh man is getting a national honor for his work in the aftermath of last April's deadly tornadoes. Al Mignacci will receive the U.S. Small Business Administration's "Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer." Isaac-Davy Aronson has his story.

Isaac-Davy Aronson: After a storm swept through downtown Raleigh on April 16th last year, Al Mignacci headed immediately to the Stony Brook mobile home park. His own North Hills home was relatively unscathed, so we went where help was needed. 50 homes at Stony Brook were destroyed, 98 were badly damaged, and four children were killed. The area was evacuated and cordoned off when he arrived...but he didn't go home.

Al Mignacci: I just rode up and down the street until I saw somebody outside working, and I just stopped and helped them for 2 or 3 days.

That, says Small Business Administration spokeswoman Carol Chastang, is characteristic of the selflessness that made him stand out among nominations from all over the country for her agency's award.

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Edwards Jury Resumes Deliberations Today

Monday, May 21 2012 by Jeff Tiberii

Eric Hodge: At the John Edwards trial Jury deliberations continue this morning. Jeff Tiberii reports from Greensboro.

Jeff Tiberii: There was no indication on Friday as to how much progress the jury made in its four hours of deliberations. The eight men and four women are deciding on six counts of campaign finance violations. The jury requested about a dozen exhibits and some office supplies last week. The four alternate jurors also return today, although they have not taken part in the deliberations. Nearly 500 pieces of evidence were introduced during 17 days of testimony. Edwards, a two-time presidential candidate is accused of using more than $930,000 from two wealthy donors to try and hide his pregnant mistress. The defense says Edwards has committed a sin, but no felony. He faces up to 30 years in prison, if convicted.

Edwards Jury To Resume Deliberations Monday

Friday, May 18 2012 by Jeff Tiberii

Jessica Jones: Jury deliberations will continue into next week at the John Edwards trial. Jeff Tiberii reports from Greensboro.

Jeff Tiberii: After about four hours of deliberations there was no verdict and the jurors went home for the weekend. The jury requested about a dozen pieces of evidence, the transcript from one witness and some office supplies. Judge Catherine Eagles told the jurors to rely on their notes and memories, and denied the transcript request. The jury of 8 men and four women heard 17 days of testimony. The four alternates impaneled will also return on Monday but have not taken part in the deliberations. Edwards was indicted last June on six counts of campaign finance violations. The government alleges that, the former two-time presidential candidate used about one million dollars from two wealthy donors in an attempt to hide his pregnant mistress. The defense says Edwards has committed a sin, but no felony.

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