Mike Charbonneau

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Mike Charbonneau |Kelly Gardner

A man convicted of murder requested a new trial on Wednesday, citing widespread problems with the state’s crime lab and an investigator accused of misrepresenting blood evidence in his case. Attorney Diane Savage said in a court motion that a new trial is necessary for George Goode, adding to the legal morass caused by questionable practices at the State Bureau of Investigation. “I think justice kind of demands that he gets a new trial,” Savage said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Mike Charbonneau |Kelly Hinchcliffe

Lawyers for North Carolina school districts challenging the nearly $20 billion state budget approved last week want a judge to order the Legislature to redo the spending plan. Superior Court Judge Howard Manning Jr. adjourned the two-day hearing Thursday without an immediate ruling. He declined to say when his decision would be ready, but the plaintiff's attorneys say they hope it is before the new state budget takes effect on July 1.

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Mike Charbonneau |Matt Burns

Two North Carolina men were sentenced to prison Tuesday for their roles in a home-grown terror cell that prosecutors say plotted attacks under their father's leadership. Dylan "Mohammed" Boyd, 25, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison, while Zakariya "Zak" Boyd, 22, was sentenced to nine years. They both pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists. In addition to their prison time, Zak Boyd was fined $3,000, and Dylan Boyd was fined $1,000.

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Mike Charbonneau |Kelly Gardner

City administrators in Fayetteville have asked the U.S. Justice Department to evaluate traffic stop practices of police after data showed officers were nearly four times more likely to search a car with a black driver. City Manager Dale Iman sent a letter this week asking for the Justice Department's review of the police department.

Aug 25, 2023 | wral.com | Emery Dalesio |Mike Charbonneau |Adam Owens |Bridget Whelan

North Carolina cannot limit enrollment in a pre-kindergarten program for at-risk children that saw its budget reduced by the General Assembly, the judge overseeing a long-running education-opportunity lawsuit ordered Monday. It's not clear whether the order by Superior Court Judge Howard Manning Jr. could force the Legislature to redo part of the $19.7 billion state budget that took effect this month.