Judge who asked for action on gangs in Carson case resigns

The Associated Press

DURHAM, N.C. --

A district court judge in Durham - who made an odd plea from the bench asking lawmakers to fight gang violence - has resigned after 11 years in office.

Judge Craig Brown was criticized for the comments, made during an initial court hearing for a Durham teen accused of killing two college students.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Tuesday that Brown told Chief District Court Judge Elaine Bushfan on Friday he planned to resign.

Brown made his comments about gangs in March at a hearing for Laurence Lovette. The 17-year-old is charged with killing University of North Carolina student body president Eve Carson and Duke University graduate student Abhijit Mahato.

Authorities have not said Lovette was a gang member, and Lovette's attorney has said the comments could prejudice jurors.

Information from: The News & Observer, http://www.newsobserver.com