Death Penalty: The debate in North Carolina over the role a doctor plays in assisting in executions has proved to be an important issue that has made its way to the House as told in an AP story by Margaret Lillard. Recently the medical board has declared that doctors violate their medical ethics oath by being an active participant in lethal injection executions. House Speaker Joe Hackney has suggested that temporary legislation be passed to suspend the death penalty until further studies can be done on lethal injection.

Retardation: Perhaps faking mental retardation isn't so tough after all. From the innocent age of 8, Pete Costello now 26, began to fake retardation at the request of his mother to obtain Social Security benefits. According to the story as told in the AP, he will plead guity to fraud and receiving close to $60,000 over the course of nearly 20 years. The mother's trial is set for May, and she is also negotiating a deal.

More Death Penalty: Lawmakers in half a dozen states are seriously considering widening the range of crimes eligible for the death penalty. Legislators in Texas and Tennessee are drafting bills that will include child molesters and the state of Virginia is considering the specific murders of judges and court witnesses. The many other crimes in other states that are being considered can be found here in the USA Today by Emily Bazar.