"Explosive charge" my foot. This legal tactic is so common it has a name. It's a Batson challenge.
Any attorney who did not raise this when he's defending a black client would probably be guilty of malpractice.
The WaPo is either ignorant or looking to stir the pot. Given it's sordid history, I vote for #2.
And it would echo into possible appellate proceedings. The appellate court can also weigh in on Batson
It’s a shame but sin has done this to a willing mankind.
It is funny, a kind of Batson challenge doesn’t apply to me.
I’ve sat in several jury pools over the years and one of the first questions either the defense or prosecution ask is(I’m guessing this based on who thinks they have the weaker case): Do any of you have law or pre-Law degree or significant legal training? (I am one class short of a pre-law degree)
I’d raise my hand.
“Dismissed!”
Every story today by the MSM is written with such hyperbole it sounds like the end of the world. It's the nexus of click-bait adjectives, historical ignorance, and vacuous journalism.