Black, North Carolina

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.
Judge finds racial bias tainted jury selection in Black man's death row case
A North Carolina judge is expected to rule Friday on whether a Black defendant’s capital trial was undermined by allegations of racial bias during jury selection, potentially opening the door to death row inmates throughout the state getting resentenced.
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 their trials.
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.
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."
Black Man's Compromised Capital Trial Could Lead To North Carolina Death Row Inmates Being Resentenced
North Carolina death row inmates may be eligible for resentencing if it is determined that a Black defendant's trial was ...
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 ...
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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 ...