NC judge commutes 3 deaths sentences (2 cop killers); cites bias

http://www.seattlepi.com/news/crime/article/NC-judge-commutes-3-deaths-sentences-cites-bias-4114200.php

NC judge commutes 3 deaths sentences; cites bias
By MICHAEL BIESECKER, Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina judge on Thursday commuted the death sentences of three convicted killers, including two who killed law enforcement officers, to life in prison without the possibility of parole after ruling that race played an unjust role in jury selection at their trials.

Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Gregory A. Weeks based his ruling on evidence presented over four weeks of hearings that he says showed prosecutors in each case made a concerted effort to reduce the number of black jurors.

The three who had their sentences commuted were among the most notorious killers on North Carolina's death row. Two had killed law enforcement officers.

Family members of the victims and more than 60 uniformed police officers packed the courtroom. Before Weeks could finish issuing his ruling, the brother of a murdered state trooper stood up and yelled an expletive at the judge. ...