N.C. governor pardons man wrongfully convicted of murder

Background: Howard was convicted of two counts of second-degree murder for the 1991 deaths of Doris Washington, 29, and her 13-year-old daughter Nishonda, as well as first-degree arson, per AP.

• He was sentenced to two consecutive 40-year terms.
• The victims also appeared to have been sexually assaulted. In 2009, Howard's attorneys tested rape kits related to the case and found new evidence that pointed to other suspects.
• While his sentence was thrown out in 2014, Howard remained in prison through August 2016 after DNA evidence proved he was not involved in the crimes.
• He was then exonerated and freed, per the News & Observer.

The big picture: This is Cooper's sixth pardon of innocence since taking office in 2017, the governor's office said.

• What he's saying: "It is important to continue our efforts to reform the justice system and to acknowledge wrongful convictions," Cooper said, according to the News & Observer.