State Attorney General Roy Cooper says he understands frustration with his office's decision not to hold another trial for a Charlotte police officer in the shooting death of an unarmed suspect. But a spokeswoman for Roy Cooper said he won’t change his mind unless new evidence comes to light that would help the case against Randall Kerrick. Cooper issued the statement after meeting with civil rights leaders about the case Friday.
Kerrick, a Charlotte Mecklenburg police officer, was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the 2013 shooting death of Jonathan Ferrell. Ferrell was a former Florida A&M football player … looking for help after crashing his car in an unfamiliar neighborhood. A jury deadlocked 8-to-4 in favor of acquittal at Kerrick's trial last month. Civil rights leaders say a hung jury in the end speaks for no one.
PRIMARY TURNOUT UP; OBSERVER ENDORSES HOWARD AND PEACOCK
Early voting continues this week in North Carolina’s local government primary elections, including for Charlotte Mayor and City Council at-large. In the mayoral race, six Democrats and two Republicans are seeking party nominations for the November election. The Charlotte Observer offers its endorsements in the race today, picking Democrat and longtime city council member David Howard and Republican Edwin Peacock. Peacock is the front runner in the Republican race, ahead of Scott Stone. The newspaper endorsed Howard over Democratic front runner Jennifer Roberts. Current Mayor Dan Clodfelter is also in the race. He was appointed to the job last year when former Mayor Patrick Cannon was arrested on corruption charges.
Early voting turnout here is low as always, but running ahead of the last primary two years ago. A total of 386 people cast ballots on the first two days Thursday and Friday in Charlotte, up from 257 in 2013. Voting continues Tuesday through Saturday of this week at various locations around the city. The Primary is Tuesday Sept. 15.
WRONG-WAY CRASH KILLS DRIVER ON I-77
One man died and two people were hurt in a wrong-way crash early Saturday on I-77 in Huntersville. The wreck happened about 2:30 AM in the northbound lanes of the highway, between exits 23 and 25. A Huntersville fire spokesman said several 911 calls came in just before the crash reporting a white car driving southbound in the northbound lanes. The driver of that car died when he hit another car head-on. The second driver was seriously injured. The highway was closed for a couple of hours after the crash. The State Highway Patrol is investigating.
SPORTS: PANTHERS SLIM DOWN TO 53; 49ers WIN
The NFL’s Carolina Panthers have trimmed their roster to the required 53 men. Undrafted running back Brandon Wegher made the team, as did undrafted safety Dean Marlowe. Wegher scored two rushing touchdowns during preseason, and caught the team’s longest reception against Buffalo – 42 yards. All five of the team's drafted rookies made the roster. The Panther’s kick off the season Sept. 13 at Jacksonville.. The first home game is Sept. 20 against the Texans.
- UNC Charlotte’s football team picked up a victory in its first game in the Football Bowl Subdivision Friday night. Quarterback Matt Johnson threw for 242 yards and a touchdown to help the 49ers beat Georgia State 23-20, in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
- Brad Keselowski has the pole position for Sunday night’s NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Darlington Raceway in South Carolina. The race starts at 7 o’clock.
