On August 31 to September 2, the N.C. Innocence Inquiry Commission held a hearing in State vs. Robert Charles Bragg (Watauga - 94 CRS 4929). After carefully considering the evidence, the Commission concluded, by a vote of 6 to 2, that there was sufficient evidence of factual innocence to merit judicial review and referred the case forward for a hearing before a three-judge panel.

Bragg was convicted of first degree murder and was sentenced to life without parole on February 26, 1996. He was convicted for the December 8, 1994, murder of Marvin "Coy" Hartley in Boone, N.C.

During the hearing, Commission Executive Director Lindsey Guice Smith presented the case to the Commissioners. The Commission considered testimonial and documentary evidence, including testimony by Commission Associate Director Sharon Stellato, Commission Staff Attorney Catherine Matoian, a DNA expert, and three lay witnesses. The Commission referred the case forward for a hearing before a three-judge panel. Chief Justice Mark Martin will appoint three superior court judges to hear the case in Watauga County.

The N.C. Innocence Inquiry Commission is a state agency charged with investigating post-conviction claims of factual innocence. The agency was created by the General Assembly in 2006 and began operation in 2007. The Commission is the first and only of its kind in the country. Since 2007, the Commission has conducted investigations that have resulted in the exoneration of 10 individuals.

Almost 2,000 claims have been submitted to the agency. As an independent, neutral, fact-finding agency, the Commission has not only uncovered evidence of innocence, but has also confirmed guilt in numerous cases.

For more information, please contact Commission Executive Director Lindsey Guice Smith at (919) 890-1580 or Lindsey.G.Smith@nccourts.org.