Argument in NC Supreme Court over venue
State Supreme Court justices heard arguments Thursday over whether the General Assembly acted correctly when it ordered the current round of legal fighting over redistricting moved to Wake County.
Republicans accuse the Democrats who control the state Senate and share control of the House of intentionally moving the case away from Johnston County Judge Knox Jenkins, who since December 2001 has twice rejected maps for legislative districts that were drawn by Democratic leaders.
Democrats say Republicans shouldn't be able to "shop" their case to a judge they know is sympathetic to their arguments.
When the General Assembly passed its latest set of maps in November, they also decided that a three-judge panel, chosen by the state's chief justice but led by a Wake County judge, should review maps if they are challenged. A trial judge upheld the law in December. -- Attorneys argue before N.C. justices over proper venue for redistricting (AP)