"Death Nation" author to speak at UNC-Asheville Highsmith Grotto Tuesday, Nov. 29

Here's the press release:

Death Nation author to speak at UNC-Asheville Highsmith Grotto Tuesday, November 29

WHAT: The Real Death Penalty: A Summary of the Data and Scientific Studies.

WHO: Dr. Matthew Robinson, professor of Government & Justice Studies at Appalachian State University, is the author of a dozen books, including Death Nation: The Experts Explain American Capital Punishment.

WHERE: UNC-Asheville's Highsmith Union Grotto, One University Heights Asheville, NC 28804

CONTACT: Dr. Matthew Robinson robinsnmb@appstate.edu 828.262.6560

Asheville -- Dr. Matthew Robinson, author of Death Nation: The Experts Explain American Capital Punishment, will present The Real Death Penalty: A Summary of the Data and Scientific Studies at a free public forum at UNC-Asheville's Highsmith Union Grotto on Tuesday evening, November 29, 2011, at 7 p.m.

It has been more than five years since North Carolina performed an execution. It has been more than two years since North Carolina passed the Racial Justice Act, which would convert a death sentence to life without parole if a person's death sentence were found tainted by racial discrimination. Though racial bias is evident in the state's system of capital punishment, according to studies conducted by Dr. Robinson and other experts, no death sentence has been vacated in favor of life without parole so far. Some North Carolina legislators want to repeal the historic bill, however. In fact, the Senate Judiciary Committee has the Racial Justice Act on its agenda this afternoon.

Most if not all North Carolina doctors are unwilling to participate in executions. Some leaders want to change the law so that doctors are not required in the execution chamber. But the fact remains that the citizens of North Carolina almost never sentence people to die. Please join us for a discussion of this controversial subject at 7 p.m. on November 29 at the Highsmith Union, sponsored by the student and local chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina.

Source: http://www.mountainx.com