North Carolina Democratic Governor Roy Cooper is confronting intensified accusations regarding his approach to criminal justice following the January murder of science teacher Zoe Welch by a suspect with an extensive criminal history. The incident has thrust Cooper’s record into the spotlight as he campaigns for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Senator Thom Tillis. Critics argue that the case exemplifies systemic failures in keeping repeat offenders behind bars, with the accused killer having been released after a Cooper-appointed judge reduced his charges months earlier.
The Senate race is shaping up as one of the most competitive contests this cycle, with Democrats viewing North Carolina as a critical pickup opportunity. Cooper faces Republican candidate Michael Whatley, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, in what analysts predict will be a closely watched battle with national implications for criminal justice policy debates.
Career criminal released after judge reduced charges to misdemeanor
Zoe Welch was discovered dead in her Raleigh home in January, with an autopsy revealing she died from blunt force trauma to the head. Her accused killer, Ryan Camacho, had been facing four breaking and entering charges in April 2025. Despite accumulating 20 prior arrests, Durham District Court Judge Dorothy Hairston Mitchell reduced his charges to a misdemeanor, allowing Camacho to walk free. Mitchell received her appointment from Cooper in 2021 to serve as District Court Judge in District 14. In his press release announcing the appointment, Cooper praised Mitchell for what he described as her “dedication and fairness” that would guide her judicial service.
The judge originally replaced Brian Wilks but subsequently won election to the position in November 2022. Cooper’s campaign is now distancing the governor from Mitchell’s judgeship decisions. A campaign spokesperson stated that Mitchell was elected to her position, emphasizing this distinction. The spokesperson further contrasted Cooper’s career with Whatley’s record, noting that Cooper “spent his career putting rapists and violent criminals behind bars” while Whatley appointed a convicted child sex predator to a powerful position within the North Carolina Republican Party.
Whatley’s appointment of convicted sex offender draws scrutiny
In 2021 and 2024, Whatley, then serving with the North Carolina GOP, appointed Harvey Lee West to the state’s Plan of Organization Committee despite West’s criminal history. In 1999, West pleaded guilty to statutory rape involving three girls, including two 14-year-olds and one 16-year-old. West has claimed he maintained transparency about his criminal past with North Carolina party leadership throughout his involvement.
Cooper’s campaign points to his 16-year tenure as North Carolina’s attorney general, combined with legislation he signed as governor, as evidence of his commitment to law enforcement. One such measure made it easier to prosecute drug dealers who sell fatal doses. The campaign argues these actions demonstrate a consistent record of supporting public safety initiatives and holding criminals accountable.
Mass inmate release during COVID-19 pandemic raises concerns
Under Cooper’s administration, approximately 3,500 inmates were released over a 180-day period in 2021 as part of a settlement agreement with civil rights groups who filed suit over inmates dying from COVID-19. Some of those released had been convicted of serious offenses, including crimes against children and sexual assault. The accelerated release program aimed to reduce prison populations amid the pandemic but has since drawn criticism for its implementation and oversight.
Within two years of their release, 560 inmates freed during the Cooper administration were arrested on new charges. Among those released was Tyrell Brace, later charged with first-degree murder in the killing of young father Elante Thompson in Charlotte. Another individual released under the program was Jimmie Speight, who had been convicted of indecent liberties with a child and failure to register as a sex offender. Speight was released just under nine months early and in 2023 received a sentence exceeding 32 years in prison for second-degree murder.
Republican critics highlight patterns in repeat offender releases
The killing of Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska by a career criminal last summer initially sparked scrutiny of North Carolina’s criminal justice system. Critics contend that repeat offenders are frequently cycled back onto the streets without adequate consideration of public safety risks. Republican National Committee Spokesperson Emma Hall characterized Cooper as “a soft-on-crime lunatic who lets monsters out of prison instead of fighting to keep North Carolinians safe.” Hall added that Cooper’s record has resulted in deadly consequences and that he owes victims and their families an apology for failing to keep dangerous criminals off the streets.
- Ryan Camacho had accumulated 20 prior arrests before the charges were reduced
- Judge Dorothy Hairston Mitchell was appointed by Cooper in 2021
- 560 released inmates were arrested on new charges within two years
- 3,500 inmates were released over 180 days during the 2021 settlement
- Mitchell won election to her judgeship position in November 2022
Legislative response includes new bail reform measures
North Carolina lawmakers have responded to these incidents by passing legislation aimed at addressing concerns about repeat offenders. Following the Charlotte train stabbing that claimed Iryna Zarutska’s life, the state legislature advanced “Iryna’s Law” to eliminate cashless bail for certain offenses. The measure represents an effort to balance criminal justice reform with public safety considerations, particularly for defendants with extensive criminal histories who pose elevated risks of reoffending.
The debate over criminal justice policies has become a defining issue in the Senate race, with both campaigns highlighting their opponents’ perceived vulnerabilities on public safety. As November approaches, the competing narratives about crime, punishment, and judicial accountability are expected to resonate with voters concerned about community safety and the effectiveness of the state’s criminal justice system in preventing violent crimes.