'NAACP urges end to death penalty' and more region news

photo Protesters gather outside the building where Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles members are holding a hearing for death row inmate Troy Davis, in Atlanta, on Monday, Sept. 19, 2011. Davis is scheduled to die Wednesday for the 1989 slaying of off-duty Savannah, Ga., police officer Mark MacPhail. (AP Photo/David Tulis)

ATLANTA

NAACP urges end to death penalty

The Georgia chapter of the NAACP is asking state lawmakers to end capital punishment.

NAACP state President Edward Dubose said at a rally Monday that execution is murder. State Sen. Vincent Fort has said he will file legislation seeking to end capital punishment.

Dubose cited the case of Troy Davis, who was convicted of killing an off-duty policeman in Savannah and executed last year. Davis' case attracted worldwide attention.


JESUP, Ga.

Long-serving sheriff, 76, dies

Cecil Nobles of Long County, the longest-serving sheriff in Georgia history and the nation's second-longest serving sheriff, died early Monday morning in Jesup, according to the Florida Times-Union in Jacksonville.

Nobles, 76, was in his 44th year as Long County sheriff, the newspaper reported.

Dwight Radcliff, of Pickaway County, Ohio, the nation's longest-serving sheriff, is in his 48th year in office and will retire at the end of this year, according to the paper.


CENTRE, Ala.

Inmate who fled last week caught

Authorities say a prisoner who escaped during trash pickup along a highway last week is back behind bars.

Authorities said James Leroy Tyree was caught early Sunday after a chase with police that ended about 2:20 a.m. in a cotton field in Centre. Authorities said Tyree was spotted by members of the Cherokee County Drug Task Force after a worker found his white inmate shirt behind Western Hills Mall on Wednesday, the day after he disappeared.

He was serving 20 years at the St. Clair prison for burglary, theft and robbery convictions. Authorities said Tyree now will face charges of escape, resisting arrest, attempt to elude and possession of a firearm by a felon.

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