Hours Before Execution, Killer’s Life Is Spared by N.C. Governor

Gov. James B. Hunt Jr. commuted a convicted killer’s death sentence to life in prison without parole Tuesday, hours before he was to be executed.

Hunt said he had questions about whether the condemned man--who represented himself--got a fair trial.

It was the second time in his 16 years as governor that Hunt, a Democrat, commuted a death sentence. Hunt is leaving office in January; he was barred by law from seeking reelection.

Marcus Carter, 32, was scheduled to die by injection at 2 a.m. EST today for the 1989 slaying and attempted rape of Amelia Lewis, who was beaten to death with a brick and left in an alley.

Carter’s mother and two daughters were visiting him in prison when defense attorney Mark Edwards told him his sentence had been commuted.

“I think he was stunned, like I was,” Edwards said. “He looked at me at first in disbelief. Eventually, it started sinking in. His knees got sort of weak and he had to sit in a chair and let it sink in.”

In a written statement, Carter said: “I do appreciate the people of faith, my family and lawyers for the support during such troubling times in my life. I also would like to thank the governor for the consideration that has been placed on my life. God bless everybody.”

Carter’s first trial, where he was represented by a court-appointed lawyer, ended in 1991 with the jury deadlocked. At a second trial, Carter represented himself and was convicted. Edwards said the judge had persuaded Carter to become his own lawyer.

The governor said in a statement that he still supports capital punishment and believes Carter was guilty and mentally competent.

“But in cases where capital punishment could be imposed, we must go the extra mile to assure there is a fair trial,” Hunt said.

Edwards said the judge in the second trial told Carter he couldn’t appoint new lawyers after Carter decided the ones he had didn’t represent his interests.