Not A Win-Win For Everyone

Daily Update - May 8, 2026

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Episode summary:

North Carolina’s political class wants you to believe Roy Cooper’s mass release of inmates during COVID was a harmless “reform.” In this Daily Update, I walk through how more than 3,500 convicted criminals were turned loose, how at least 600 went on to commit serious new felonies, and how 18 have been charged with murder in just four years. We look at the Democrats and activist groups that pushed this through, the judge who signed off, and the tragic stories of innocent people who paid the price. This is what happens when “criminal justice reform” puts political wins ahead of public safety.

What you’ll learn / Key moments

00:00 – “They got away with it — until now”: setting up the story of Cooper’s inmate release during COVID
00:09 – How 3,500 inmates were released and why 600 reoffended and 18 are now charged with murder
00:31 – The ACLU lawsuit, the Democrat judge, and how the “fix was in” from the start
01:08 – The human cost: Ivy Clay, Edmund J. Moore, and others who should still be alive today
01:41 – Cooper’s Senate run and what his record on crime tells us about where he wants to take the country
01:56 – Why we can’t let them get away with it this time

What you can do

If this makes you angry, good — it should. Share this episode with friends, family, and neighbors who still think these releases were no big deal. Pay attention to who backed this policy, from Governor Cooper to the activist groups and judges who helped push it through, and hold them accountable at the ballot box. Support candidates and leaders who actually stand with victims and law-abiding citizens instead of criminals and political donors. And stay plugged in to The Wilmington Standard so you know what’s really happening in Raleigh and beyond.

They got away with it – until now.

This is the Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Friday, April 8 2026

The New York post is reporting that of the 3500 convicted criminals released by Governor Roy Cooper during the COVID-19 scare, 600 of those later committed serious felonies – and 18 have been charged with murder – all within the last four years.

Governor Cooper – a Democrat - is insisting that he fought long and hard to keep these convicts in prison. However, the lawsuit to release these men was brought by the ACLU – a powerful Democrat ally. It was heard before Judge Vince Rozier, Jr – another Democrat – who appointed a special master to take care of the whole mess.

Right there and then, the fix was in. Governor Cooper can swear up and down that he tried keeping the jail cells closed and position himself as tough on crime. The ACLU can rack up another win and bring in more dollars from their far-left supporters. Judge Rozier is running for re-election in Wake County – again controlled by Democrats. It is a win-win-win.

Except for Ivy Clay – a 16-month old little girl who was killed because her dad – Lucas Shayne Scronce who was among those released – was doing drugs and probably gave her fentanyl. Or Edmond Jay Moore Jr, who was shot and killed at the scene of a car crash by Jimmie Speight Jr, who also should have been in jail for molesting a 14 year old. And of course there is Decarlos Brown, Jr – who instead of being in a mental institution or prison was set free to kill Iryna Zarutska on a train in Charlotte.

Governor Cooper of course is running for the United States Senate where he hopes to join his Democrat colleagues who hope to do everything they can to protect and encourage illegal immigrants, shut down police, and let criminals rule the streets.

Lets not let him get away with it this time.

For the Wilmington Standard, I’m Reuel Sample. Thanks for listening.

Reuel Sample is the Editor-in-Chief of The Wilmington Standard. A graduate of Grove City College and Princeton Theological Seminary, he has served as both a Presbyterian Pastor and a Navy Chaplain. He is the product of a classical liberal arts education combined with real world experience in politics and business and conservative Christian worldview firmly rooted in the Reformed tradition. He is the host of several podcasts including the NHC GOP Podcast, the Pastor's Voice, and co-hosts the Nikki and Reuel Podcast Experience. An avid sailor, he has sailed around the world as a youth and to the Azores as a teen as well as extensive trips up and down the east coast of the United States. He is honored to be married to his wife Pam and makes his home in Wilmington, NC.