Less investigative reporting hurts death row cases

New York Times: Fewer reporters, less investigative work on death penalty cases

Opponents to the death penalty who work to free wrongly accused prisoners say their efforts have been hampered by the shrinking of newsrooms and the firing of experienced reporters, including investigative reporters.

In the past, lawyers opposed to the death penalty often provided the broad outlines of cases to reporters, who then pursued witnesses and unearthed evidence. Now, the lawyers complain, they have to do more of the work themselves and that means it often doesn’t get done.

Yet another reason to mourn the declining newspaper industry.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Some state senators reject pay raises

ARKANSAS: State lottery could begin ticket sales as early as October

FLORIDA: Gov. Crist says cigarette tax increase is 'an important health-care issue'

GEORGIA: Gov. Perdue approves inland port budget

KENTUCKY: Gov. Beshear touts state at BIO conference

LOUISIANA: House approves new fee for phone cards

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour considered a 2012 prospective candidate

NORTH CAROLINA: Senate delays vote on taxpayer campaign funding

SOUTH CAROLINA: Senate to end with long list of pending legislation

TENNESSEE: More debate to take place over fingerprint bill

VIRGINIA: More bickering in General Assembly over stimulus funds

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