FAYETTEVILLE—Cumberland County Superior Court Judge Gregory Weeks will preside over several Racial Justice Act hearings after the state's effort to have him disqualified.

Four inmates want their death sentences reduced to life in prison, they hope to use the 2009 version of the racial justice act to make their case, not the recently amended version passed by the General Assembly. All except Jeffrey Myer's case are planned to be heard on October 1 in Cumberland County. The three men and one woman want their sentences reduced to life in prison under the original 2009 Justice Act, not the recently amended version passed by the General Assembly.

Family of State Trooper Ed Lowry, who was killed by Tilmon Golphin in 1997 were in the courtroom Friday.

"I watched them everyday in court, I heard what they said, I have read letters they wrote, they are evil, and they are not remorseful, and if they get out, you will hear from them again and it will not be in a positive way,” said Dixie Davis,

It has not been determined if they will proceed under the 2009 law or recently revised version.