(RALEIGH) -- Gov. Bev Perdue has vetoed a bill that would essentially repeal the Racial Justice Act.  The Racial Justice Act was signed by the Governor in 2009 and is designed to address alleged racial bias in death penalty cases.

“I am vetoing Senate Bill 9 for the same reason that I signed the Racial Justice Act two years ago: it is simply unacceptable for racial prejudice to play a role in the imposition of the death penalty in North Carolina,” said Perdue.

The bill vetoed the Perdue would have eliminated some key provisions in the Racial Justice Act.  The Governor announced on Wednesday the she had vetoed the measure. "It is important to be clear that the Racial Justice Act does not allow anyone to be released from prison or seek parole," added Perdue.

Prosecutors across North Carolina had pushed for Senate Bill 9 saying the Racial Justice Act hampered their ability to handle major cases. Others who wanted the Racial Justice Act revised claimed some inmates were abusing it.