Condemned Former Soldier Runs Out of Appeals A former Fort Bragg soldier who killed four women and raped others more than 25 years ago is again headed for execution. This time Ronald Gray has no further recourse. He lost his final appeal last month. Gray’s execution would be the first by the U.S. military in 55 years. Only the President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, can approve the execution of a death sentence. President George W. Bush condemned Gray on July 28, 2008. He was convicted in military court in 1988 for two murders and three rapes while stationed at Fort Bragg. He pleaded guilty in Cumberland County Superior Court to two other murders and five separate rapes that occurred off post and was sentenced to life in prison for crimes committed in the civilian domain. Gray is being held at the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The Army initially scheduled his execution for Dec. 10, 2008, at the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. The president upheld the death sentence following completion of a full appellate process. Two petitions to the U.S. Supreme Court were denied during the appellate processing of Pvt.
Gray’s case.

Child Fatality Task Force
Cumberland County Health Department Director Buck Wilson has been re-elected co-chair of the North Carolina Child Fatality Task Force.
Wilson, who was first appointed to the task force by Gov. Pat McCrory in 2013, was elected to the leadership position by members of the task force. The Child Fatality Task Force is a legislative study commission that makes recommendations to the General Assembly and governor on how to reduce child deaths, prevent abuse and neglect and support the safe and healthy development of children. Recommendations are based on data, research and evidence-based practices and reflect hundreds of hours of volunteer input.

Impaired Driving
Traffic Fatalities resulting from impaired drivers are down 19 percent in North Carolina. In its 22nd year, the Booze It & Lose It education and enforcement campaign has created increased awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as the penalties associated with driving while impaired. The governor’s Highway Safety Program has awarded grants to DWI Task Force teams that work nightly to catch impaired drivers. The teams are in Cumberland, Brunswick, Buncombe, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Robeson, Union, Wake and Wayne counties.