Career
Hartman confessed to the crime but requested a life sentence. According to The News & Observer, five mitigating factors were presented at Hartman"s trial, including alcoholism (he claimed to be severely intoxicated at the time of the murder) and childhood abuse. The jury felt that these factors were outweighed by Hartman"s theft of Smith"s car and money.
In seeking clemency, Hartman"s lawyers (along with outside groups) argued that the prosecution had used Hartman"s sexuality (he was gay) in a discriminatory manner, an argument rejected by the courts and by Governor Mike Easley of North Carolina.
