NC Black Caucus tells Governor: We Want Clemencey for Walker
Based on a lack of physical evidence, questionable testimony and no body of the victim, the NC Legislative Black Caucus has formally asked Gov. Mike Easley to commute the pending Dec. 3rd execution of Charles Anthony Walker to life in prison without parole. The caucus has now joined a number of groups across the state that say Walker's death penalty case deserves a closer look. Walker, 39, was scheduled to be executed by lethal injection at Raleigh's Central Prison Friday morning at 2 a.m. before a Guilford County Superior Court judge issued a stay order Monday. Defense attorneys asked the judge to hear arguments regarding the reliability of witnesses against Walker in the 1992 slaying of a drug dealer in Greensboro. Co-defendants testified then that the Brooklyn, N.Y. man joined them in repeatedly shooting the victim, Tito Davidson, then slashing his throat. [more]