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 ...
A North Carolina Judge Just Acknowledged an Undeniable Truth: The Death Penalty Is Racist
Sermons made his ruling in the case of Hasson Bacote, who, as NBC News notes, was convicted of murder “along with two others ...
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 ...
ABC 11 Raleigh NC on MSN7d
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 ...
Charlotte Observer7d
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 ...
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 ...
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.
cbs17.com7d
Johnston County judge finds death sentences influenced by racial discrimination: Court Documents
SMITHFIELD, N.C. (WNCN) — On Friday, a Johnston County judge found that race played a significant role in the ... that racial ...
Aclu.org7d
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 under ...
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 ...