The Asheboro Courier-Tribune has run profiles of two locals with different perspectives on the death penalty. Each is lengthy profile with lots of detail and nuance.
First was, "Death penalty ‘affirms the value of life’," by Annette Jordan.
Andy Gregson has worked for the District Attorney’s Office for 20 years. He’s the chief assistant district attorney for Judicial District 19 B, which includes Randolph and Montgomery counties.
He has faced Jon Megerian in court many times and has a great deal of respect for the defense attorney.
“Jon is prepared. Jon does a good job. He represents his client well,” Gregson says.
But the two have vastly differing views on the death penalty and its role in serving justice.
Today's installment is, "Life with Jon Megerian: Death penalty foe and doting grandfather, too," also by Jordan.
When he first began practicing law, Jon Megerian didn’t really have a strong opinion on the death penalty either way.
Then he met Michael Ray Quesinberry.
Convicted in 1985 of first-degree murder, for beating local store owner Van Buren Luther to death with a hammer, Quesinberry had been sentenced to die – twice – in the original trial and a resentencing hearing. Another appeal triggered a second resentencing, this one overseen by Megerian and Pete Oldham.
Megerian came to know the defendant, not as the monster most people see, but as a person. He also got an up-close look at the death penalty’s imposition. And that really bothered him.
Earlier coverage from North Carolina begins at the link.
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