Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON
Punishments for rioting in North Carolina would be increased and new criminal counts would be created for mayhem resulting in death in legislation approved by a House judiciary committee on Thursday.
The measure was pushed personally by chief sponsor House Speaker Tim Moore. He cited both the destruction of property in North Carolina cities linked to some demonstrations following the May 2020 death of George Floyd and the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 as reasons for the bill.
Moore has a condominium in downtown Raleigh and witnessed smashed windows, fire and looting there in the aftermath of otherwise peaceful protests against racial injustice. Other state legislatures have considered or passed more stringent rioting laws this year.
Whether in Raleigh or Washington, “those things are not appropriate in a civilized society,” Moore said. “We are a nation of laws, not a nation of mob rule. And regardless of the political spectrum one comes from, we all have to be able to say that’s not right.”
State law already makes it a misdemeanor to willfully participate in a riot or inciting one. It becomes a felony when serious injury or property damage incurred exceeds $1,500, with active prison time possible on a first offense. The punishments for these crimes would rise under the legislation, including a new felony crime when participating in a riot leads to a death.
The measure also would allow property owners whose businesses are damaged in a riot to seek compensation against a perpetrator equal to three times the monetary damage. And new bond and pretrial release rules for rioting and looting defendants would have a judge set those conditions within 48 hours. Bill supporters have complained defendants can otherwise be released immediately by a magistrate.
Democrats on the committee worried aloud whether the bill would increase the risk that otherwise peaceful protesters could face charges just by getting caught up in violence incurred by others.
The American Civil Liberties Union in North Carolina sees the measure as “unnecessary, unreasonably harsh” and stifling the constitutional right to protest, said Daniel Bowes, the state chapter’s director of policy and advocacy. Melissa Price Kromm with the North Carolina Voters For Clean Elections told the committee that legislation surfacing in North Carolina and elsewhere are “anti-Black Lives Matter bills. They are not about protecting the peace. They’re about silencing dissent.”
The bill could reach the House floor early next week. The Senate is debating a separate police reform measure that would contain some changes to criminal riot laws.
Photo via the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.
Related Stories
‹
In Chapel Hill and Nationwide, Violent Crime is Both Up and DownNew data show an increase in violent crime in Chapel Hill and Carrboro in 2021 - though crime remains far lower today than in years past.
New UNC Police Chief Aims to 'Make Campus Proud' of Department With students coming back to campus and the first week of classes commencing, newly hired UNC chief of police Brian James says he is excited to build community trust and keep the school safe this semester.
Catalytic Converter Thief Apprehended in Orange CountyThe Orange County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday it had made an arrest in the case of several stolen catalytic converters from an Efland body shop. Deputies arrested Robert Helmick, 40, of Alamance County in a shed near the shop’s property. A K9 unit also assisted in the search. According to a release from the Sheriff’s […]
Orange County Sheriff's Office: Local Man Arrested For Shooting Son-In-LawThe Orange County Sheriff's Office says a 69-year-old man is in custody after reportedly shooting his son-in-law on Sunday night.
Chatham County Murder Suspect Arrested In New JerseyAfter evading authorities for nearly 20 months, a suspect has been arrested in connection to a Chatham County murder. Shyquaule Javon Fisher, 25, was originally indicted on charges in June 2020, including first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to sell/deliver and possession with intent to sell/deliver a Schedule VI controlled substance. The Chatham […]
Chapel Hill Police Seek Man Accused of Repeated Thefts at Ulta Beauty StoreThe Chapel Hill Police Department is asking the public to help identify a man tied to numerous larcenies at a local beauty store. The suspect, depicted in the picture below, is wanted for multiple thefts from the Ulta Beauty store at 1800 E. Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. He was recently seen leaving the store in […]
Assault Reported at Sup Dogs Over Weekend, Reward Offered for InformationA restaurant on East Franklin Street is offering a reward after one of its employees was assaulted early Sunday morning. According to the Sup Dogs Twitter account, two patrons jumped behind the bar at 2:30 a.m. and “beat up” one of the cooks before fleeing the scene. Anyone know these 2 LOSERS? 2:30AM, they jumped […]
Carrboro Police Charge 2 Teens for Shooting, Burglary IncidentThe Carrboro Police Department has charged two teens involved in a burglary and shooting incident that occurred earlier this month. Now, police are still looking for one of the identified suspects. The incident at Oakwood Apartments in Carrboro occurred August 5. According to police, a resident of the complex, which is located at 605 Oak […]
Man Shot, Killed in Efland Identified; Investigation OngoingThe Orange County Sheriff's Office is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred in Efland shortly before 5:00 Thursday afternoon.
Higher Penalties for Rioting Advance in North Carolina HouseWritten by GARY D. ROBERTSON Punishments for rioting in North Carolina would be increased and new criminal counts would be created for mayhem resulting in death in legislation approved by a House judiciary committee on Thursday. The measure was pushed personally by chief sponsor House Speaker Tim Moore. He cited both the destruction of property in […]
›
