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As Mistrial Is Declared, 2 Jailed -- But Not The Defendant
Two people were sent to jail during the trial of a North Carolina church minister charged in the beating of a gay congregant, but neither was on trial in the case.
The jury was in its second day of deliberations Tuesday in the trial of Brooke Covington, a minister at Word of Faith Fellowship in Spindale, North Carolina, when juror Perry Shade Jr. reported being harassed by someone.
Chad Metcalf, who had a hearing Tuesday for an unrelated traffic violation, was charged with harassing a juror. The judge said Metcalf told the jurors to reach a verdict.
Only hours later, Shade was charged with contempt of court for distributing unauthorized outside material to other jurors.
The judge declared a mistrial. He wasn't sure when a new trial would be scheduled.
Elections Probe Checks If Russian Hacking Effort Reached NC
North Carolina officials are investigating whether Russian hackers targeted state or local elections staffers by posing as a voting software supplier.
State elections board director Kim Strach said Tuesday the move follows a leaked classified intelligence report suggesting election-related hacking reached further into U.S. voting systems than previously known.
Russian intelligence attempted to target voting software company VR Systems and then send spear-phishing emails seeming to come from the company to more than 100 local election officials.
Bill To Nix N. Carolina's Concealed Carry Permit Causes Rift
North Carolina could join roughly a dozen states that allow people to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
A bill that could go to the House for debate as early as Wednesday would do away with the state's current requirement and would allow concealed carry in places where it's currently permissible to openly carry a handgun.
Gun purchases still require a permit.
The latest measure includes certain restrictions and applies to people 18 or older and who are not otherwise prohibited from carrying a gun.
Constitutional Amendment On Hunting And Fishing Resurfaces
Some North Carolina senators say putting the right to hunt and fish within the state Constitution would help promote natural resources and outdoor industries while preserving the activities for generations to come.
The GOP senators held a news conference Tuesday to promote new legislation that if approved would result in a statewide referendum in November 2018.
NC Attorney General Intervenes In Duke Energy Rate Request
North Carolina's attorney general is intervening in Duke Energy's bid for regulators to approve an average 15 percent rate increase.
Attorney General Josh Stein said Tuesday he's getting involved because the request by Duke Energy Progress is of significant interest to consumers.
The nation's largest electric company filed its request last week for an extra $477 million a year from the subsidiary's 1.3 million North Carolina customers. The increase could mean the typical Duke Energy Progress household customer in eastern North Carolina and around Asheville paying an extra $17.80 per month for a total $122.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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