Race was ‘a significant factor’ in Johnston County death penalty case, NC judge rules
In a 120-page order, Superior Court Judge Wayland Sermons also ruled that race was “a significant factor” in other death penalty cases brought by Greg Butler, the assistant district attorney who prosecuted Bacote, and by other prosecutors in the county and the prosecutorial district where the cases were tried.
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.
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.
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 sentence.
Judge rules race affected Bacote's death sentence
Judge rules race affected Bacote's death sentence
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 ...
North Carolina judge finds racial bias in landmark death penalty case
The Racial Justice Act allowed people to challenge their death sentences if they could demonstrate race played a role in ...
Racial bias tainted jury selection and death sentence for a Black man in North Carolina, judge says
A North Carolina judge has ruled that racial bias tainted jury selection and sentencing in the trial of a Black inmate who was sentenced to death in 2009.
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Supreme Court revives case of death row inmate who says she was ‘sex-shamed’ at trial
The Supreme Court on Tuesday revived a challenge by a death row inmate in Oklahoma who ... the Supreme Court sent Andrew’s case back to an appeals court to revisit whether the evidence against ...
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North Carolina Judge Finds Racial Bias in Death Penalty in Landmark Case
RALEIGH, N.C. – In a landmark case, a North Carolina judge ruled today that race played an impermissible role in jury selection for Hasson Bacote, a Black man who challenged his death sentence ...