The DWI blood test backlog at the state crime lab has started to receive media attention. TheWinston-Salem Journal recently ran this editorial, arguing that the situation is “unacceptable” and reflects a “management failure by the state.” The piece notes that the lab has trouble retaining analysts, who often receive more lucrative offers in the private sector, and endorses the idea of allowing analysts to testify by video rather than in person. (Jessie explored the legality of that option here and here.) [Update: Judge Joe John, the director of the lab, wrote a letter to the Journal responding to the editorial. It is available here.] In other news: Former DA pleads guilty. Former District Attorney Rex Gore pled guilty this week to a misdemeanor charge based on improper travel reimbursements Gore authorized for an assistant district attorney. Gore received a suspended sentence, a $5,000 fine, and a six-month suspension of his law license. The Fayetteville Observer has the details here. Federal court hearing on Central Prison abuse claims. WRAL reports here on a recent federal court hearing in a lawsuit by inmates against Central Prison staff. The prisoners claim that guards routinely took inmates to “blind spots” not reached by surveillance cameras and beat them severely. The hearing appears to have been some type of preliminary proceeding, and no merits ruling was issued. The judge did, however, order the installation of additional cameras and required longer retention periods for the resulting video footage. No drugs for lethal injection? There are . . [...]
Faculty Coordinators
