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

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…

North Carolina 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. Winsto…

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…

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.

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."

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...