NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Committed to ending the death penalty and creating a new vision of justice

Noel Nickle

Press Release: Lawmakers listened to North Carolinians; House Bill 270 will not advance

May 8, 2025
The North Carolina House of Representatives considered a long list of bills before yesterday’s “crossover” deadline. House Bill 270, which sought to add electrocution and firing squad as authorized methods of execution alongside lethal injection, was not on the list, and therefore will not advance to the next legislative session.

Press Release: Lawmakers listened to North Carolinians; House Bill 270 will not advance

· Noel Nickle

The North Carolina House of Representatives considered a long list of bills before yesterday’s “crossover” deadline. House Bill 270, which sought to add electrocution and firing squad as authorized methods of execution alongside lethal injection, was not on the list, and therefore will not advance to the next legislative session.

Press Release: House Bill 270 increases harm to corrections staff and furthers risk to public safety

Apr 29, 2025
Today, the Judiciary 2 House Standing Committee will consider a new bill, HB 270, which would alter current law by adding electrocution and firing squad as authorized methods of execution alongside lethal injection. The harmful impact of executions on prison staff is well documented, and includes serious mental health symptoms such as insomnia, panic attacks, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. HB 270 would only cause further harm to corrections officers by requiring them to carry out brutal execution methods.

Press Release: House Bill 270 increases harm to corrections staff and furthers risk to public safety

· Noel Nickle

Today, the Judiciary 2 House Standing Committee will consider a new bill, HB 270, which would alter current law by adding electrocution and firing squad as authorized methods of execution alongside lethal injection. The harmful impact of executions on prison staff is well documented, and includes serious mental health symptoms such as insomnia, panic attacks, substance abuse, and post-traumatic stress disorder. HB 270 would only cause further harm to corrections officers by requiring them to carry out brutal execution methods.

State’s Highest Court Wrings its Hands about Discrimination in the Jury Box But Stops Short of Doing Anything about It

Apr 16, 2025
A recent decision by North Carolina's State Supreme Court undermines our public trust in equal justice under the law.

State’s Highest Court Wrings its Hands about Discrimination in the Jury Box But Stops Short of Doing Anything about It

· Noel Nickle

A recent decision by North Carolina’s State Supreme Court undermines our public trust in equal justice under the law.

What we need instead of the death penalty: Envisioning the future together

Aug 30, 2022
“Halfe to food and halfe to the homeless.” The phrase was clearly written by a child. The words in green marker stood out in the middle of the large poster […]

What we need instead of the death penalty: Envisioning the future together

· Noel Nickle

“Halfe to food and halfe to the homeless.” The phrase was clearly written by a child. The words in green marker stood out in the middle of the large poster […]

As a prosecutor tries an innocent man in NC, history is repeating itself

Mar 23, 2022
Yesterday, the death penalty trial of Lester Kearney began in Warrenton, North Carolina. Kearney, a Black man, is accused of a terrible crime. An elderly white couple was beaten, robbed, […]

As a prosecutor tries an innocent man in NC, history is repeating itself

· Noel Nickle

Yesterday, the death penalty trial of Lester Kearney began in Warrenton, North Carolina. Kearney, a Black man, is accused of a terrible crime. An elderly white couple was beaten, robbed, […]