Race was ‘a significant factor’ in Johnston County death penalty case, NC judge rules
Attorneys for the state said they planned to appeal the superior court judge’s ruling to the NC Supreme Court.
NC judge's ruling opens door for death row prisoners to challenge cases due to racial bias
Bacote spent 15 years on death row before former Governor Roy Cooper commuted his sentence to life without parole in December 2024. Judge Sermons told the court that the ruling in this case means every pending racial justice act case should be handled individually and based on their facts.
Racial bias tainted jury selection and death sentence for a Black man in North Carolina, judge says
Racial bias tainted the decision to strike Black people from the jury pool and to impose the death penalty in the 2009 trial of a Black man in North Carolina, a judge ruled on Friday, part of what he called “glaring” patterns of bias in a prosecutorial district outside the capital.
Johnston County judge finds death sentences influenced by racial discrimination: Court Documents
On Friday, a Johnston County judge found that race played a significant role in the death penalty trial of Hasson Bacote, influencing the makeup of the jury along with the decision of the death
Judge finds racial bias tainted jury selection in Black man's death row case
A North Carolina judge ruled Friday that a Black defendant’s capital trial was undermined by allegations of racial bias during jury selection, potentially opening the door to death row inmates throughout the state getting resentenced.
North Carolina Judge Rules Racial Bias Played a Role in Conviction of Black Man Who Spent 15 Years on Death Row
Judge ruled prosecutors unlawfully dismissed Black jurors in Hasson Bacote's death penalty case and used racist language like "thug" and "predators of the African plain."
Judge sentences Ozark County woman in death of man thrown from a vehicle
GAINESVILLE, Mo. (KY3) - A judge sentenced a woman in Ozark County after a man died from being thrown from a vehicle. Lori ...
Judge rules race did play a role in Hasson Bacote's sentencing
On Friday, a judge said race did play a role in the trial and death sentence of Hasson Bacote. Bacote was previously sentenced to death for the 2007 death of Anthony Surles during a robbery attempt.
Prosecutors drop death sentence of gang leader in bungled case. Pleads to lesser charge
One of Miami’s most notorious gang leaders, who for more than two decades sat on Death Row after four murder convictions, not ...
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Missouri man appeals death sentence after attorneys failed to press jury foreman’s bias
The Petitions of the Week column highlights some of the cert petitions recently filed in the Supreme Court. A list of all petitions we’re watching is available here. People held in state prison can ...
Federal judge to hear arguments on whether the Tops mass shooter should face death penalty
U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo has suggested the end of May as the start time for hearings from the prosecution and ...
Scranton man sentenced for drug distribution resulting in death
A Scranton man will spend more than two decades behind bars for his role in distributing fentanyl that resulted in a man’s ...
Judge rules race played a role in Hasson Bacote's sentencing
On Friday, a judge said race did play a role in the trial and death sentence of Hasson Bacote. Bacote was previously sentenced to death for the 2007 death of Anthony Surles during a robbery attempt.