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Racial bias tainted jury selection and death sentence for a Black man in North Carolina, judge says

A North Carolina judge ruled that racial bias affected jury selection and sentencing in the 2009 trial of Hasson Bacote, a Black man sentenced to death.
Judge Wayland Sermons Jr. Found that Black defendants in capital cases faced death sentences 100% of the time, compared to 45% for white defendants.
The ruling does not change Bacote's life sentence, as his death sentence was commuted by Governor Roy Cooper last year.
Cassandra Stubbs from the ACLU stated that evidence shows racial bias in capital prosecutions in North Carolina.

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WSPA

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 death penalty trial of Hasson Bacote, influencing the makeup of the jury along with the decision of the death sentence. Superior Court Judge Wayland Sermons also found that racial discrimination extends beyond Bacote's case "poisoning all death sentences in Johnston County" and districts that include Harnett and Lee counties. “We are gra…

13 days ago·Savannah, United States

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Fox8

North Carolina judge finds death sentences influenced by racial discrimination: Court Documents

14 days ago·Cleveland, United States

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Death Penalty Information Center

Judge Finds Race Plays a “Significant Role” in Death Sentences in Three North Carolina Counties | Death Penalty Information Center

On February 7, 2025, Johnston County Superior Court Judge Wayland Sermons ruled “[r]ace was a significant factor” in both jury selection and the decision to impose death in the case of Hasson Bacote and granted relief for Mr. Bacote from his death sentence under the provisions of North Carolina’s Racial Justice Act (RJA). Judge Sermons also found racial discrimination tainted all death sentences in Johnston County and neighbori…

15 days ago

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News One

N.C. Judge Finds Racial Discrimination Occurred During Jury Selection In Black Death Row Inmate’s Case

North Carolina judge ruled that racism during jury selection played a role in the trial of Hasson Bacote, who had been sentenced to death.

15 days ago

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Latin Times

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."

15 days ago

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American Civil Liberties Union

North Carolina Judge Finds Racial Bias in Death Penalty in Landmark Case | American Civil Liberties Union

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...

15 days ago

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NBC News broke the news in United States 15 days ago on Friday, February 7, 2025.

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Racial bias tainted jury selection and death sentence for a Black man in North Carolina, judge says

26 Articles

26 Articles

Johnston County judge finds death sentences influenced by racial discrimination: Court Documents

Johnston County judge finds death sentences influenced by racial discrimination: Court Documents

North Carolina judge finds death sentences influenced by racial discrimination: Court Documents

North Carolina judge finds death sentences influenced by racial discrimination: Court Documents

Judge Finds Race Plays a “Significant Role” in Death Sentences in Three North Carolina Counties | Death Penalty Information Center

Judge Finds Race Plays a “Significant Role” in Death Sentences in Three North Carolina Counties | Death Penalty Information Center

N.C. Judge Finds Racial Discrimination Occurred During Jury Selection In Black Death Row Inmate’s Case

N.C. Judge Finds Racial Discrimination Occurred During Jury Selection In Black Death Row Inmate’s Case

North Carolina Judge Rules Racial Bias Played a Role in Conviction of Black Man Who Spent 15 Years on Death Row

North Carolina Judge Rules Racial Bias Played a Role in Conviction of Black Man Who Spent 15 Years on Death Row

North Carolina Judge Finds Racial Bias in Death Penalty in Landmark Case | American Civil Liberties Union

North Carolina Judge Finds Racial Bias in Death Penalty in Landmark Case | American Civil Liberties Union

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