WWW.TRIANGLE TRIBUNE.COM The Triangle Slow death of capital punishment in NC Death penalty use in state falls to all- RIBUNE time low in spite of efforts to revise TTHE TRIANGLE’S CHOICE FOR THE BLACK VOICE By Stephanie Carson N.C. NEWS SERVICE RALEIGH – The death penalty is on the books in North Carolina, but not VOLUME 17 NO. 39 $1.00 on the minds of the justice system. WEEK OF DECEMBER 27, 2015 There were no new death sentences this year in the Tar Heel State, and it's been nearly a decade since there was an execution in the state. Gretchen Engel, executive director of the Center for Death Penalty Litiga- What is the top HBCU tion, says public opinion has shown a significant shift in recent years. "The public at least has figured out that we don't need the death penalty, sports moment of and the legislators in Raleigh need to catch up with the public on where they 2015? Find out on are in terms of the death penalty," she said. The trend in North Carolina of a decrease in the use of capital punishment Sports 1B. mirrors the national trend. There were 26 executions in six states this year, the fewest since 1991. Juries handed down only 49 new death sentences, the fewest in the modern era, according to a report released by the Death Penalty Information Center. Engel also points to recent cases where it was proved that death row in- mates were wrongly convicted of their crime, and the financial cost of death ? Please seeSLOW/2A No school President suspensions, Obama noBy Latishaproblem? Catchatoorian grants [email protected] DURHAM – Durham Public Schools is looking at ways to reduce suspensions clemency more vigorously than ever. The school system, following national trends, has long been scrutinized for high rates of suspensions. Especially concern- to 97 ing to parents and community members is the disparity in suspensions of black students and students with disabilities compared to their white counterparts. prisoners In the 2011-12 school year, DPS sus- By Zenitha Prince pended nearly 3,200 high school stu- Senior AFRO Correspondent dents alone, which was up 8 percent from Christmas came early to 97 the previous year. Twenty-three percent felons granted commutations of black DPS students were suspended at and pardons by President least once during the 2009-10 school Barack Obama Dec. 18. year. African-American males in middle Most of the prisoners were be- school had a suspension rate of 37 per- hind bars for non-violent drug- cent the same year. related offenses: at least 74 of “We want to be sure that our code of the 95 commutations involved conduct is enforced without any sort of possession or distribution of ei- bias across race or class or level of stu- ther crack or cocaine, nine in- PHOTO COURTESY OF KEN BRANSON, MASTER M.I.N.D. PRODUCTIONS volved methamphetamine, five dent disability. We know nationwide Rick Moore is a talented and aspiring entrepreneur on the rise. there are disparities (for blacks, Hispanics involved marijuana, and five and disabled students) compared to others involved unspecified white and non-disabled students,” DPS drugs. Board Chair Heidi Carter said. Another two of the commuta- Currently, the disciplinary code of con- tions were for non-drug-associ- duct permits out-of-school suspensions ated crimes: one involving for Level II infractions like communicat- armed bank robbery and an- The Triangle Tribune other for possession of a ing threats, trespassing, misuse of school computers, etc., but it also permits out- firearm by a convicted felon. of-school suspensions for Level I infrac- The president also used his tions like inappropriate language, constitutional power to grant skipping class, and disruptive behavior Newsmaker of the Year pardons to an Ohio physician “in cases where a student refuses to par- convicted of counterfeiting in ticipate in the in-school interventions or T-shirt tycoon ends year on a high note 2002, and a New Kent, Virginia, engages in persistent violations of a Level got its jump-start after Moore decided to sell woman convicted of aiding and By Latisha Catchatoorian abetting bank fraud. I rule.” Discretion of these scenarios is left [email protected] his t-shirts at a film festival of all places. After up to principals, but DPS is trying to pro- attending a trade show, “where only the guys The commutations were the vide them with more options. DURHAM – Local t-shirt designer Rick Moore with the fanciest booths and the most money” third set Obama has given this On Dec. 10, a task force comprised of is a master of analogies and an enthusiastic were recognized, he decided to do things a year and the most awarded at parents, staff, community members and storyteller. better way – go someplace where there weren’t one time. In all, this administra- other stakeholders presented the board This comes out in his designs for his cloth- thousands of other competitors in his same tion has granted 184, which ex- with other options principals may use in ing company Nyla Elise (named after his market. He attended a film festival with ceeds the total grants by the lieu of suspensions. daughter) with catchphrases like “read books, dozens of his “Film is my ammo” t-shirts in previous six presidents com- “At this time last year, I told you about not labels” and “I grew here, you flew here” tow and put them directly in the hands of ac- bined. the important work the Code of Student emblazoned on his t-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tors, who are arguably the biggest promoters The commutations are part of Conduct Task Force had begun to im- tops and more. Moore’s brand is simply an ex- of any product. the White House’s clemency ini- prove the equity and effectiveness of tension of who he is as a person, and it shows. “Authenticity always sells,” Moore said. tiative – launched in 2014 – Durham Public Schools discipline policies He said he’s not a “mad revolutionist,” but Moore likened Nyla Elise to an old, balled-up which reflects Obama’s commit- and procedures,” DPS Superintendent his ideas do transcend what is usually found ment to criminal justice reform, Bert L’Homme wrote in an op-ed for the in the “corporate box.” For instance, Nyla Elise Please see MOORE/2A including parity in sentencing. News & Observer. “The Code… had been Civil and human rights groups tweaked and updated over the years, but hailed the move. it had been a long time since it had been “American presidents have thoroughly vetted and never before by a had the power to show mercy large, diverse panel of 47 Durham com- since the founding of our Re- munity members.” public. President Obama is the L’Homme said the board’s goal is to Dreams Fund helps women keep first president in decades to use have a “menu of options for principals to it as the founders intended,” use in determining appropriate conse- said Julie Stewart, president and quences when students break the rules.” founder of Families Against dreams alive and fulfill potential Mandatory Minimums, in a Suggestions included no suspensions for Level I non-aggravating offenses such By Maria Magher statement. “For that reason, we as violating the dress code or bringing a Correspondent commend him for showing cellphone to school; greater focus on pro- more mercy than his predeces- A whopping 71 percent of sors. But his work is not done…. gram and in-school options for those who women polled in a recent survey do violate code of conduct standards; de- Far too many others are still said they feel their gender has serving excessively long sen- veloping guidelines for suspension inhibited them from reaching ranges, and treating disciplinary action tences that should be com- their professional goals. It is muted as well.” differently according to school level. findings like these that are moti- “They presented to us on where they Under the clemency initiative, vating people like Christie Gar- qualified federal prisoners were are – the work they’ve done to date,” ton and the 1,000 Dreams Fund Carter said. “Not necessarily in specifics encouraged to apply to have to help provide opportunities for their sentences commuted. But yet (but) the direction they are heading. women and work to find ways to Overall, we are very pleased with the re- of the 36,000 offenders that help them overcome obstacles. have applied, fewer than 200 port. There were a number of different The survey, which was suggestions about alternatives to suspen- have received clemency in the launched by the 1,000 Dreams past two years, according to the sions and the code of conduct itself. (For Fund in conjunction with Toluna example) the consequences at an elemen- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Quick Surveys, included 1,000 Rights Under Law, which helped tary level would be less severe than at the women ages 17 to 23 in the middle and high school levels.” coordinate the efforts of attor- United States. It polled women neys who have been working The task force outlined guiding and about the "State of the Girl," such foundational principles: pro bono to assist those prison- as their experiences in school ers. • Set high expectations for behavior and work, and what obstacles Sarah Cole is a student at Harvard University. and adopt an instructional approach to The group is calling on the ad- they face. ministration to intensify its ef- school discipline. they did not have enough diver- Fund, which provides small The survey also found that 53 forts and is also charging •.