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RALEIGH -- At the same time as the first hearing of the Racial Justice Act is underway in Cumberland County, state lawmakers are meeting to see if this act is necessary.

“It is the intention from the proponents of the bill, and the leadership to address the unintended consequences of the Racial Justice Act,” said Rep. Tim Moore, a Cleveland County Republican.

Lawmakers were called into session last month to consider a veto by Gov. Bev Perdue of the repeal of the Racial Justice Act.

In the House, the votes weren't there to override the veto and so-called The Racial Discrimination in Capital Cases Committee was formed to re-examine the issue.

Supporters of the act said this is just another attempt to get rid of the Racial Justice Act.

“I think this committee, or most of this committee, is not interested in fixing, or adjusting or tweaking the bill, but to render it void,” said Rep. Earline Parmon, a Forsyth County Democrat.

The committee heard from supporters and opponents of the act, including victims' families that fall on both sides of the issue.

“I'm a supporter of the Racial Justice Act because it is a system that brings consciousness to an unconscious system,” said Richard Joyner, who's brother was murdered.

"Racial justice had nothing to do with this because he admitted to all of the facts. He told what happened," said Marsha Howell, who daughter's murderer is on death row.

Supporters said statistical evidence shows that African-American defendants are more frequently given a death sentence and that this could be because they are not being given a true jury of their peers.

Opponents said the act serves one purpose.

“We believe it was done because it is just a Trojan horse for the moratorium,” said Colon Willoughby, Wake County District Attorney.

If lawmakers are able to an agreement on some changes to the Racial Justice Act, it is likely that those proposals would be before the General Assembly when they reconvene in May.