Democratic Senate candidate Roy Cooper of North Carolina, who previously served as governor, has faced criticism for appointing lenient judges during his time in office, leading to the release of numerous offenders, many of whom went on to commit more crimes.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 3,500 individuals were released back into the community, following legal pressure from organizations like the ACLU and NAACP. Sadly, this move had consequences, with many reoffending. For instance, take the case of Eucas Shane Skrons, who had been incarcerated for drug trafficking but was released and later admitted to using fentanyl just before his infant daughter’s tragic death, as reported by local outlets.
Cooper’s issues extend beyond pandemic releases. Throughout his governorship from January 2017 to January 2025, he appointed judges known for their lenient sentencing. One notable case involved Kendra Montgomery-Brin, who began her role as a District Court Judge in Durham County in July 2023. She was responsible for releasing an individual, Sharon Evans, who was previously held on a $15,000 bail for violently assaulting his girlfriend and had a long criminal history, including 37 felonies and nine misdemeanors.
Another of Cooper’s appointments, Peter Knight, took office as a Superior Court Judge in 2018 for District 29B, covering Henderson, Polk, and Transylvania counties. Just a year later, he reduced the bail for Krista Noelle Madden, who was facing charges related to her infant daughter, changing it from $750,000 to $100,000 despite severe allegations against her.
Cooper also appointed Tracy Hewett as a District Court Judge in Mecklenburg County back in 2017. She came under fire for significantly lowering bail amounts for individuals accused of serious offenses, including rape.
Continuing the pattern, in 2019, Cooper appointed John Arrowood to the Court of Appeals, where he participated in overturning the conviction of a man who had pleaded guilty to two counts of rape. That same year, he appointed Reuben Young, who later facilitated a retrial for Lorenza Inman, convicted of attempted murder and other serious charges, and Inman reportedly continued his criminal activities afterward.
“Roy Cooper owes the people of North Carolina an explanation,” stated Michael Whatley, a Republican Senate candidate, during a discussion on Cooper’s past decisions. He questioned how the prisoners were selected for release and the rationale behind these actions amid the pandemic.
Current polling averages suggest that Cooper maintains a lead over Whatley, with a margin of about 6.8 points.
