Race was ‘a significant factor’ in Johnston County death penalty case, NC judge rules
Attorneys for the state said they planned to appeal the superior court judge’s ruling to the NC Supreme Court.
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.
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.
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."
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 throughout the state getting resentenced.
Johnston County judge finds death sentences influenced by racial discrimination: Court Documents
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
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.
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.
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Hasson Bacote among death row inmates to have sentences commuted in North Carolina
Among those granted clemency was Hasson Bacote, a Black man who was actively fighting his death sentence under the Racial Justice Act of 2009, which allows for resentencing claims when racial bias ...