North Carolina has become only the second state in the country that allows defendants to try to prove race was a significant factor in a death sentence or in a prosecutor seeking the death penalty.

Gov. Beverly Perdue signed the Racial Justice Act into law Tuesday morning.

The bill allows inmates on death row and persons charged with a capital crime to present a judge with evidence that shows race was a significant factor that led to the death sentence.

A judge who agrees with the evidence could limit a sentence to life in prison without parole.

"I have always been a supporter of death penalty, but I have always believed it must be carried out fairly," said Perdue in a statement. "The Racial Justice Act ensures that when North Carolina hands down our state's harshest punishment to our most heinous criminals - the decision is based on the facts and the law, not racial prejudice."

The General Assembly passed the law last week. Kentucky is the only other state that allows statistical evidence to establish racial bias by prosecutors seeking or jurors rendering the death penalty.

"This is a very auspicious and also historic occasion for the state of North Carolina," said Rep. Womble in a statement. "This is about justice for our state, and North Carolina is leading the nation in this particular area."