Staff report: certified letters requesting clemency for Lexington native mailed to governor, delivery status pending

City staff told the Lexington Human Relations Commission on Jan. 6 that certified letters requesting clemency for Lexington native Charles McNair were mailed to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and Governor‑elect Josh Stein and that delivery status remains uncertain.

Cassandra S. Lockhart, who presented the staff report, said certified letters were mailed on Dec. 10, 2024. "Governor Cooper's office received his letter on Thursday, Dec. 12," Lockhart said. She reported that the letter addressed to Governor‑elect Josh Stein is shown as "in transit" online; staff had not confirmed final delivery as of the Jan. 3 status check.

Lockhart said she visited a post office twice and contacted the attorney general's office to ask whether the letter had been received. If the Stein letter is not delivered by Wednesday, Jan. 8, staff will mail another certified letter to his updated address, Lockhart said. She emphasized that certified mail is not guaranteed and that no refund would be issued if the original letter never arrives.

Lockhart also noted budget impacts: the commission's operating balance stood at $8,839.41, reduced by prior certified mail charges and nameplate purchases; additional small charges for nameplate updates and another certified letter were expected. "Charles McNair remains incarcerated," Lockhart added as part of her status update to the commission.

The commission thanked staff for following up with the postal service and for tracking delivery. No additional action or vote was taken on the matter at the Jan. 6 meeting; commissioners requested continued updates if delivery status changes.