N.C. Racial Justice Act hearing continues

Posted to: Crime News North Carolina
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The Associated Press
© February 13, 2012

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.

The first evidentiary hearing involving the state's Racial Justice Act is scheduled to continue this week in a Cumberland County courtroom, where prosecutors plan to call four more current or former judges to testify.

The Fayetteville Observer reported that the hearing resumes today in the case of convicted killer Marcus Robinson, who's trying to get his death sentence changed to life in prison without parole. Robinson is a black man convicted of killing a white teenager in 1991.

Robinson is trying to prove racism was involved in the selection of his jury or in the court system statewide. His jury had nine whites, two blacks and one American Indian.

Last week, the judge who presided over Robinson's trial testified, as did the trial prosecutor, who's now a judge.

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NeoCon

Submitted by BCAT GRAHAM on Mon, 02/13/2012 at 4:36 pm.

What are your sources for your statements? Please provide examples. I've been in and around the Courts for many years and have not observed any of the things that you claim.

Think before you post

Submitted by NeoCon on Thu, 03/01/2012 at 4:19 pm.

If you are not a judge or lawywer I would not expect for you to understand. It's obvious that you are neither based on your comment.

Relevance of the so-called "Race Card"

Submitted by NeoCon on Mon, 02/13/2012 at 2:42 pm.

Racially biased use of peremptory strikes and illegal racial discrimination in jury selection remains widespread, particularly in serious criminal cases and capital cases. Hundreds of people of color called for jury service have been illegally excluded from juries after prosecutors asserted pretextual reasons to justify their removal. States should strengthen policies and procedures to ensure that racial minorities are fully represented in jury pools. State and local governments should expand their jury lists and use computer models that weigh groups appropriately. Prosecutors who repeatedly exclude people of color should be subject to fines, penalties, suspension, and other consequences to deter the practice.

Comment deleted

Submitted by admin (staffer) on Mon, 02/13/2012 at 12:16 pm.

Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Cheering or advocating violence

Not racism but sexism PERHAPS?

Submitted by BCAT GRAHAM on Mon, 02/13/2012 at 11:42 am.

Robinson is a man. More than 99% of all people charged and convicted of violent crimes including rape are men. Men only constitute 49% of the population with women making up the other 51%.....................................wait a minute,....Perhaps more men than women are actually commiting these crimes. In that case, that is why more men are being charged and convicted.....DUH...