During the COVID‑19 pandemic, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper oversaw the release of roughly 3,500 inmates, a move that has become a focal point of his 2024 Senate campaign.. Critics argue that several of those freed, such as Shyrone Evans and Krista Noelle Madden, quickly reoffended, raising doubts about Cooper’s judgment on public safety.

3,500 Pandemic Releases Linked to ACLU and NAACP Lawsuits

The surge in releases stemmed from lawsuits filed by the ACLU and the NAACP , which challenged overcrowding in prisons as a COVID‑19 health risk. According to the source, Cooper’s administration complied, freeing thousands of detainees to mitigate virus spread. While the legal pressure was real, the decision has been portrayed by opponents as a politically motivated soft‑on‑crime stance.

Shyrone Evans’ $15,000 Bond and Subsequent Murder

One of the most cited examples is Shyrone Evans, a judge appointed by Cooper who was arrested for strangling and punching his girlfriend. He was released on a $15,000 bond, and within weeks, he killed a man traveling to dialysis treatment. The source notes this case as a stark illustration of the alleged recklessness behind Cooper’s appointments.

Krista Noelle Madden’s Bond Cut from $750,000 to $100,000

Another high‑profile case involves Krista Noelle Madden, accused of attempting to murder her 7‑week‑old daughter.. Prosecutors originally set her bond at $750,000, but it was reduced to $100,000 after Cooper‑appointed judges intervened. The source reports that Madden remains free pending trial, a point Republicans are using to question Cooper’s suitability for higher office.

Republican Scrutiny of Judicial Appointments Like Lorenza Inman

Beyond individual inmates,the controversy extends to Cooper’s broader pattern of appointing judges perceived as lenient. The source cites Lorenza Inman, whose conviction for attempted first‑degree murder was revisited after a new trial was granted by Reuben Young, another Cooper appointee. gOP lawmakers are demanding transparency on why these judges were chosen and how they handled pandemic‑era cases .

Unanswered Questions About Decision‑Making Process

Key gaps remain: Who specifically recommended the bond reductions for Evans and Madden? What criteria did Cooper’s team use to select judges for pandemic releases? And why were alternative legal avenues, such as continued detention, not pursued more aggressively? The source does not provide answers,leaving voters with a murky picture of the decision‑making chain.