Attorneys for the state said they planned to appeal the superior court judge’s ruling to the NC Supreme Court.

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

The Racial Justice Act allowed people to challenge their death sentences if they could demonstrate race played a role in their trials.

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."