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NC gov. signs law on race bias test in death cases
WRAL ^ | August 11, 2009

Posted on 08/16/2009 4:15:43 PM PDT by NCjim

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Beverly Perdue on Tuesday made North Carolina the second state to allow defendants to use statistical evidence to prove racial bias played a role in putting them on death row.

North Carolina joins Kentucky with a law that aims to prevent black defendants from being punished more harshly what whites.

The law allows judges to consider statistical evidence that indicates race played a key factor in putting a disproportionate number of people from a racial group on death row, or on trial for their lives. A judge also could consider sworn testimony from legal system insiders like prosecutors, law enforcement officers, or jurors that death sentences were sought or imposed more often on members of one race than another. A judge who agrees with the evidence could limit a sentence to life in prison without parole.

"I'm a supporter of the death penalty, have been for years. But I've always believed as a citizen ... that the burden is heavier, the very heaviest, in death penalty cases," Perdue said before signing legislation supporters have called the Racial Justice Act. The law is "a grand step forward to ensure that when North Carolina hands down our state's harshest punishment, the decision is based on fact, not prejudice."

(Excerpt) Read more at wral.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: North Carolina
KEYWORDS: beverlyperdue
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The law allows judges to consider statistical evidence that indicates race played a key factor in putting a disproportionate number of people from a racial group on death row, or on trial for their lives.

Of course the fact that capital crimes are committed by "a disproportionate number of people from a racial group" is not considered.

1 posted on 08/16/2009 4:15:44 PM PDT by NCjim
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To: NCjim

Doesn’t matter ~ can patch this up simply by executing more white murderers. Certainly can’t be anyone opposed to that eh!


2 posted on 08/16/2009 4:18:54 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: muawiyah

You make a valid point here...


3 posted on 08/16/2009 4:20:00 PM PDT by NCjim ("Lies have to be covered up, truth can run around naked." - Johnny Cash)
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To: NCjim
Blacks are 12% of the population, but commit 50% of the murders.

They ought to be 50% of the population of death row.

The fact that they aren't means that other races are being discriminated against.

4 posted on 08/16/2009 4:21:05 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: NCjim

I wouldn’t want hurl that additional accusation until checking out the details, which is where the devil is (or angels are). OF COURSE the prosecution is going to point out that more such crimes arise in black areas. It could end up a statistical wash once both sides have their say.


5 posted on 08/16/2009 4:21:23 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (When did it become the Democrat You-Shut-Up-And-Listen-To-Me Tour?)
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To: NCjim

this country is going insane, actually gone insane.

we give jobs to some based on their color
we give positions based on color
so much for MLK speech of I have a dream

now we should look at the courts too.

astounding


6 posted on 08/16/2009 4:22:06 PM PDT by manc (Marriage is between a man and a woman -- end racism end affirmative action)
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To: NCjim

This may well come back to haunt the governor.


7 posted on 08/16/2009 4:23:02 PM PDT by dr_who
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

stop right now

you are using too many facts and too much common sense

the left will never understand it if you keep doing that


8 posted on 08/16/2009 4:23:06 PM PDT by manc (Marriage is between a man and a woman -- end racism end affirmative action)
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To: NCjim

“Do you know why there are so many blacks in prison? Because they committed crimes.” - Ken Hamblin


9 posted on 08/16/2009 4:23:19 PM PDT by CriticalJ
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To: NCjim

This world-class idiot is making Easley look like Reagan.


10 posted on 08/16/2009 4:26:02 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

if blacks are 12% of the population then how many robberies do they do per cent wise?
How many homoe invasions?
shop lifting
rapes

etc

while we’re on the % wise then how much do whites use in welfare,
how many blacks on welfare?
how many Asians?
How many Hispanics?
How many Europeans?

would be interesting to see if a % of the population use certain issues against their % of the country


11 posted on 08/16/2009 4:26:04 PM PDT by manc (Marriage is between a man and a woman -- end racism end affirmative action)
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To: CriticalJ

It isn’t that simple either. The wave of DNA evidence exonerations of a decade or so ago did free more blacks than whites. Since more imprisonable crimes arise in black areas, given a similar rate of mistakes all over the country it is likely that more blacks will be mistakenly punished, beginning as suspects found near the crime, than will be whites.


12 posted on 08/16/2009 4:26:57 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (When did it become the Democrat You-Shut-Up-And-Listen-To-Me Tour?)
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To: manc

This is pure unadulterated Horse crap.


13 posted on 08/16/2009 4:27:11 PM PDT by Venturer
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To: NCjim

What’s happened to North Carolina?- it is becoming like Massachusetts or Vermont!


14 posted on 08/16/2009 4:27:31 PM PDT by The Sons of Liberty (DON'T TREAD ON ME!!!!! Just say NO to the Evil Kenyan witch doctor - FUBO ---)
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To: manc

Can’t throw around stats sloppily, or you’re no better than those who misuse them.

For example, both the following are true:

More white babies are aborted than black babies.
PER CAPITA, more black babies are aborted than white babies.


15 posted on 08/16/2009 4:29:28 PM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (When did it become the Democrat You-Shut-Up-And-Listen-To-Me Tour?)
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To: The Sons of Liberty

I regret to say that it’s going to Hell in a handbasket as the saying goes.


16 posted on 08/16/2009 4:30:25 PM PDT by NCjim ("Lies have to be covered up, truth can run around naked." - Johnny Cash)
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To: NCjim
Race is not a significant factor in capital punishment cases
17 posted on 08/16/2009 4:30:34 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: The Sons of Liberty

IIRC, the last 10-15 years it has been the most sought after destination for northeastern retirees.....


18 posted on 08/16/2009 4:30:47 PM PDT by wombtotomb
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To: The Sons of Liberty

Infestation with northeasterners, DCers and urban Marylanders.


19 posted on 08/16/2009 4:31:18 PM PDT by Rebelbase (Obama--POtuS.)
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To: Venturer

This is pure unadulterated Horse crap.


what on earth are you on about?

Are you saying that we do not give jobs based on color?
Are you saying that MLK never said he wanted a color blind nation in a speech?

just exactly what are you saying is horse crap?


20 posted on 08/16/2009 4:31:20 PM PDT by manc (Marriage is between a man and a woman -- end racism end affirmative action)
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