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Some Familiar Names to the Supreme Court in a Death Row Case over Racial Bias in Jury Makeup
The case challenges racial bias in jury selection and may result in release or retrial if successful, following a 2023 federal ruling that overturned the conviction.
- The Supreme Court is set to hear the appeal of Terry Pitchford, a Black death row inmate from Mississippi, regarding alleged racial discrimination in jury selection during his capital murder trial on Tuesday.
- Prosecutor Doug Evans, known for dismissing Black jurors, excluded four of five potential Black jurors when Pitchford was tried for his role in the 2004 robbery and killing of Reuben Britt, owner of Crossroads Grocery in Grenada.
- In 2023, District Judge Michael P. Mills overturned the conviction, ruling that Judge Joseph Loper "did not grasp he had to a constitutional duty" to determine whether the prosecutor's reasons for striking Black citizens were credible.
- Defense lawyer Joseph Perkovich argues the record clearly favors Pitchford, who should be released or retried if he prevails, while Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch defended the state Supreme Court decision upholding the conviction.
- Seven years ago, the Supreme Court overturned Curtis Flowers's conviction for similar jury discrimination involving the same prosecutor and judge; yet the Court has recently taken a skeptical view of capital case appeals.
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23 Articles
23 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources23
Leaning Left12Leaning Right1Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Left
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Left
60% Left
L 60%
C 35%
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