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NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

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

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    • Mission & History
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  • What We Do
  • Why End the Death Penalty?
    • Column 1
      • Racism
      • Innocence
      • Intellectual Disability & Mental Illness
    • Column 2
      • Public Safety
      • High Cost of Death
      • Waning Support
    • Column 3
      • Lethal Injection
      • Antiquated Sentences
      • Unfair Trials
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Search NC Coalition for Alternatives to the Death Penalty

Guest Posts

What I learned in 15 years working to end the death penalty

Mar 31, 2025
In my nearly 15 years of working in death penalty communications, my goal was always to change other people’s hearts and minds. With the stories I told, I aimed to shape policies and public opinion — to help create a society that no longer sentences people to execution. Now, as I prepare to leave my job at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation, it’s difficult to measure how much success I had in those areas. In the end, there is only one outcome I feel truly certain about: This work transformed my heart and mind.

What I learned in 15 years working to end the death penalty

March 31, 2025 · Kristin Collins

In my nearly 15 years of working in death penalty communications, my goal was always to change other people’s hearts and minds. With the stories I told, I aimed to shape policies and public opinion — to help create a society that no longer sentences people to execution. Now, as I prepare to leave my job at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation, it’s difficult to measure how much success I had in those areas. In the end, there is only one outcome I feel truly certain about: This work transformed my heart and mind.

Filed Under: Blog, Guest Posts

I’ve seen the horror of executions; Gov. Cooper must act to prevent them from happening again

Aug 23, 2023
This month marks the seventeenth anniversary of North Carolina’s last execution. Between 1984 and 2006, North Carolina executed 43 people. For some, it might feel like executions are ancient history in our state. However, the enormous pain they caused is still very much with us. I know because, in 2005, I stood by helplessly as the state of North Carolina killed a man and devastated a family that I cared about deeply.

I’ve seen the horror of executions; Gov. Cooper must act to prevent them from happening again

August 23, 2023 · Kristin Collins

This month marks the seventeenth anniversary of North Carolina’s last execution. Between 1984 and 2006, North Carolina executed 43 people. For some, it might feel like executions are ancient history in our state. However, the enormous pain they caused is still very much with us. I know because, in 2005, I stood by helplessly as the state of North Carolina killed a man and devastated a family that I cared about deeply.

Filed Under: Blog, Commutations Campaign, Guest Posts

Jimmy Morgan, smiling, in a checkered sweater and white collar

Resentenced to Life: Why justice matters, even for my guilty clients

Nov 14, 2018
Legally, there was a strong argument that even though Jimmy was guilty, he should never have been sentenced to death. The jury that sentenced him didn’t know that this impulsive crime was in part the product of several traumatic brain injuries, which began in childhood. If Jimmy were retried now, he would never receive a death sentence. No Buncombe jury has sentenced anyone to death since 2000.

Resentenced to Life: Why justice matters, even for my guilty clients

November 14, 2018 · Kristin Collins

Jimmy Morgan, smiling, in a checkered sweater and white collar
Jimmy Morgan, smiling, in a checkered sweater and white collar

Legally, there was a strong argument that even though Jimmy was guilty, he should never have been sentenced to death. The jury that sentenced him didn’t know that this impulsive crime was in part the product of several traumatic brain injuries, which began in childhood. If Jimmy were retried now, he would never receive a death sentence. No Buncombe jury has sentenced anyone to death since 2000.

Filed Under: Arbitrary Use, Guest Posts, Intellectual Disabilities, Latest News, Mental Disabilities, Why We Care

Center for Death Penalty Litigation attorney and executive director Gretchen Engel in her office, holding a large-scale painting of a Native American girl in blue dress with an owl perched near her shoulder.

An execution’s aftermath: “I watched him die 15 years ago, and I still talk to him sometimes”

Aug 22, 2018
On that terrible day, the worst moment was telling Quentin’s family that the governor had denied clemency, and that he would be killed in 90 minutes. His younger sister let out a howl that I can still hear now. She sounded like an animal dying in a trap. A social worker and I then went to give Quentin the news. When we told him, and started sobbing, he gathered us into his arms and comforted us. Quentin was so much more than the worst thing he’d done.

An execution’s aftermath: “I watched him die 15 years ago, and I still talk to him sometimes”

August 22, 2018 · Kristin Collins

Center for Death Penalty Litigation attorney and executive director Gretchen Engel in her office, holding a large-scale painting of a Native American girl in blue dress with an owl perched near her shoulder.
Center for Death Penalty Litigation attorney and executive director Gretchen Engel in her office, holding a large-scale painting of a Native American girl in blue dress with an owl perched near her shoulder.

On that terrible day, the worst moment was telling Quentin’s family that the governor had denied clemency, and that he would be killed in 90 minutes. His younger sister let out a howl that I can still hear now. She sounded like an animal dying in a trap. A social worker and I then went to give Quentin the news. When we told him, and started sobbing, he gathered us into his arms and comforted us. Quentin was so much more than the worst thing he’d done.

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Latest News, Stories from Death Row, Why We Care

A life condemned: Remembering my client who died on death row

Nov 14, 2017
My client, Terry Ball, slipped away with barely a mention after living on N.C. death row for almost 25 years. I believe his life is worth remembering, and that his story, like all my clients’ stories, hold keys to understanding the origins of crime and our shared humanity with people labeled the worst of the worst.

A life condemned: Remembering my client who died on death row

November 14, 2017 · Kristin Collins

My client, Terry Ball, slipped away with barely a mention after living on N.C. death row for almost 25 years. I believe his life is worth remembering, and that his story, like all my clients’ stories, hold keys to understanding the origins of crime and our shared humanity with people labeled the worst of the worst.

Filed Under: Guest Posts, Latest News, Stories from Death Row, Why We Care

Henry McCollum innocent man on death row

Why North Carolina’s death penalty is not for the “worst of the worst”

May 16, 2017
Prosecutors might tell you they need the death penalty to punish the “worst of the worst.” But in practice, that's not how the death penalty is used in North Carolina. Our state spends millions each year to pursue death sentences that are arbitrary and unnecessary, and uses the threat of death as a negotiation tactic to pressure defendants to accept plea bargains — sometimes putting innocent lives on the line.

Why North Carolina’s death penalty is not for the “worst of the worst”

May 16, 2017 · Kristin Collins

Henry McCollum innocent man on death row
Henry McCollum innocent man on death row

Prosecutors might tell you they need the death penalty to punish the “worst of the worst.” But in practice, that’s not how the death penalty is used in North Carolina. Our state spends millions each year to pursue death sentences that are arbitrary and unnecessary, and uses the threat of death as a negotiation tactic to pressure defendants to accept plea bargains — sometimes putting innocent lives on the line.

Filed Under: Arbitrary Use, Crime Lab, Declining Use, False Evidence, Guest Posts, Innocence, Latest News, National News

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We are excited to introduce NCCADP's Director of C We are excited to introduce NCCADP's Director of Communications: Liv Perkins-Davenport! Liv brings a wealth of experience in communications, advocacy, and program development, most recently working for immigrant justice. Learn more about Liv's background and vision for working with NCCADP here: https://nccadp.org/leadership/ or go to the link in our bio. Welcome Liv!
Our Spring Statewide Coalition Meeting is tomorrow Our Spring Statewide Coalition Meeting is tomorrow (Tuesday) at 3 pm! Register for the zoom link at bit.ly/NCCADPSpring2025Statewide or go to the link in our bio. These quarterly meetings are geared toward our organizational partners and people familar with our work. If you're brand new to our movement please plan to attend our next monthly Info Session on June 30th (registration coming soon).
Reminder our monthly Info Session is tomorrow (Wed Reminder our monthly Info Session is tomorrow (Wednesday) at 7 pm! If you've not participated in an NCCADP event before, this is a great introduction to our work and will prepare you for our Spring Quarterly Statewide Meeting which is on May 20th. Register at bit.ly/May2025InfoSession or click on the link in our bio. #NoMoreDeathRow #NCDeathPenalty
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