RALEIGH -- Gov. Bev Perdue has vetoed a bill that makes drastic changes to the Racial Justice Act.

In a statement, Perdue said:

As long as I am Governor, I will fight to make sure the death penalty stays on the books in North Carolina. But it has to be carried out fairly – free of prejudice.

The bill places restrictions on what type of information can be used when a death row inmate challenges their sentence based on racial statistics.

Supporters say it will demand more relevant data is used in racial justice cases.

Opponents argue it will gut the Racial Justice Act and make it nearly impossible for someone to prove racial bias in their sentence.

The bill will now go back to the General Assembly for the House and Senate to consider an override.